Eye imaging apparatus and systems

ABSTRACT

Various embodiments of an eye imaging apparatus are disclosed. In some embodiments, the eye imaging apparatus may comprise a light source, an image sensor, a hand-held computing device, and an adaptation module. The adaptation module comprises a microcontroller and a signal processing unit configured to adapt the hand-held computing device to control the light source and the image sensor. In some embodiments, the imaging apparatus may comprise an exterior imaging module to image an anterior segment of the eye and/or a front imaging module to image a posterior segment of the eye. The eye imaging apparatus may be used in an eye imaging medical system. The images of the eye may be captured by the eye imaging apparatus, transferred to an image computing module, stored in an image storage module, and displayed in an image review module.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/220,005 filed Mar. 19, 2014 which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/757,798 filed Feb. 3, 2013 which claimsbenefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/593,865 filed Feb. 2,2012, each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments of the invention relate generally to an eye imagingapparatus and system, for example, a hand-held eye imaging apparatus andrelated systems.

Eye imaging apparatuses have become increasingly important in eyeexaminations. Early diagnosis of eye diseases is often important ineffective treatment and prevention of vision loss. In general, acomprehensive eye examination may include an examination of the anteriorsegment (such as the cornea), an examination of the posterior segment(such as the retina), and a vision function examination.

Conventionally, slit-lamp imaging systems may be used for examination ofthe cornea. However, slit imaging systems may lack mobility, such thatit is difficult for the clinician to move the system within hospitalsand/or to remote areas. For example, the cart carrying the slit-lampimaging system may be relatively heavy and difficult to move. Thecomputer or console associated with the system, and other systemaccessories, may reduce the portability of the system within hospitals,and may also reduce the ability to move the system to and/or from remoterural areas. The retina examination is usually performed by anothercomplex eye imaging apparatus. It may be inconvenient and time consumingto switch the patients from one eye imaging apparatus to another.Furthermore, current eye examinations are often performed by a localizedstand-alone imaging apparatus. It may be difficult to transfer medicaldata among different geographical locations and different hospitals. Theproblems associated with transfer of medical data may be more severe fordeveloping countries where the access to the hospitals or eye careclinics is more limited.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Various embodiments disclosed herein comprise eye imaging apparatusincluding a housing, a light source configured to illuminate an eye, andan image sensor disposed to receive an image of the eye. The lightsource and the image sensor are within the housing. For example, thelight source and the image sensor may be disposed inside the housing, orthe light source and the image sensor may be disposed on an exteriorportion of the housing. The imaging apparatus may also comprise acomputing and communication unit in the housing comprising a hand-heldcomputing device, which is configured to receive and transmit the image.The imaging apparatus further comprise an adaptation module in thehousing comprising a microcontroller and a signal processing unit. Theadaptation module is configured to adapt the hand-held computing deviceto control the light source and the image sensor.

Various embodiments, for example, may comprise an imaging apparatuscomprising a housing, a front imaging module inside the housingcomprising a light source configured to illuminate an eye and an opticalimaging system. The optical system may comprise an optical window at afront end of the housing with a concave front surface for receiving theeye. The imaging apparatus may also comprise a main module in thehousing comprising an image sensor disposed to receive an image of theeye from the optical imaging system, The imaging apparatus may furthercomprise a hand-held computing device, which is configured to receiveand transmit the image. The imaging apparatus also comprise anadaptation module in the housing comprising a microcontroller and asignal processing unit. The adaptation module is configured to adapt thehand-held computing device to control the light source and the imagesensor.

Various embodiments also include an imaging apparatus that comprises ahousing and an exterior imaging module, e.g., an anterior eye imagingmodule. The exterior imaging module comprises a lighting unit comprisinga light source configured to illuminate an eye, and an image sensordisposed to receive an image of the eye. The exterior imaging module isdisposed on an exterior portion of the housing. The imaging apparatusmay also include a hand-held computing device and an adaptation module.The adaptation module comprises a microcontroller and a signalprocessing unit, thus allowing the hand-held computing device to controlthe light source and the image sensor.

In various embodiments, a hand-held eye imaging apparatus comprises ahousing and an exterior imaging module disposed on an exterior portionof the housing. The exterior imaging module comprises a first lightingunit comprising a first light source to illuminate an eye, and a secondlighting unit comprising a second light source to illuminate the eye.The exterior imaging module also comprises a miniature camera. Theminiature camera includes an image sensor configured to receive an imageof the eye and at least one lens between the eye and the image sensor.The image sensor is positioned between the first lighting unit and thesecond lighting unit. The first optical axis of the first lighting unitand the second optical axis of the second lighting unit are converged atan optical axis of the miniature camera. The exterior imaging module isconfigured to image an anterior segment of the eye.

In some embodiments, a hand-held eye imaging apparatus comprises ahousing and an exterior imaging module which is disposed on an exteriorportion of the housing. The exterior imaging module may include a firstlighting unit comprising a first light source to illuminate an eye, anda special optics forward the first light source, configured to generatea focused light beam. A miniature camera may also be included in theexterior imaging system. The miniature camera may include an imagesensor configured to receive an image of the eye. The first lightingunit is positioned near the image sensor at a distance less than a sizeof the image sensor. The miniature camera may also include at least onelens between the eye and the image sensor. The focused light beam has abeam waist positioned at a distance less than 5 mm from an optical axisof the miniature camera. The exterior imaging module is configured toimage an anterior segment of the eye.

In some other embodiments, a hand-held eye imaging apparatus comprises ahousing and an exterior imaging module which is disposed on an exteriorportion of the housing. The exterior imaging module may include a firstlighting unit comprising a first light source configured to generate adivergent light beam. A miniature camera may also be included in theexterior imaging system. The miniature camera may include an imagesensor configured to receive an image of the eye. The first lightingunit is positioned near the image sensor at a distance less than a sizeof the image sensor. The miniature camera may also include at least onelens between the eye and the image sensor. The first optical axis of thefirst lighting unit is almost in parallel with the optical axis of theminiature camera. The exterior imaging module is configured to image ananterior segment of the eye.

Various embodiments disclose a stereoscopic hand-held eye imagingapparatus. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus comprises ahousing and an exterior imaging module disposed on an exterior portionof the housing. The exterior imaging module comprises a first lightingunit comprising a first light source and a second lighting unitcomprising a second light source. In addition to a first miniaturecamera comprising a first image sensor, the exterior imaging modulefurther comprises a second miniature camera comprising a second imagesensor. The first image sensor and the second image sensor arepositioned between the first lighting unit and the second lighting unit.The first optical axis of the first miniature camera and the secondoptical axis of the second miniature camera are converged with aconvergent angle.

In some embodiments, a stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatuscomprises a housing and an exterior imaging module disposed on anexterior portion of the housing. The exterior imaging module comprises afirst lighting unit comprising a first light source. In addition to afirst miniature camera comprising a first image sensor, the exteriorimaging module further comprises a second miniature camera comprising asecond image sensor. the first image sensor is positioned near the firstlighting unit with a first distance less than 10 mm, and the secondimage sensor is positioned near the first lighting unit with a seconddistance less than 10 mm. The first optical axis of the first miniaturecamera and the second optical axis of the second miniature camera areconverged with a convergent angle. The first lighting unit may beconfigured to generate a focused beam, or a divergent beam.

In various embodiments, a hand-held eye imaging apparatus configured toimage both a posterior segment and an anterior segment of the eye isdisclosed. The imaging apparatus comprises a housing, a front imagingmodule disposed inside the housing, and an exterior imaging moduledisposed on an exterior portion of the housing. The front imaging modulecomprises a posterior light source configured to illuminate a posteriorsegment of an eye, and a posterior optical imaging system comprising anoptical window at a front end of the housing with a concave frontsurface for receiving the eye. A posterior image sensor is also includedinside the housing to receive a posterior image from the posteriorsegment of the eye. The exterior imaging module comprises a firstanterior lighting unit comprising a first anterior light source toilluminate an anterior segment of the eye, and a miniature cameracomprising an anterior image sensor disposed to receive an anteriorimage from the anterior segment of the eye.

Various embodiments also disclose a disposable package for an eyeimaging apparatus. In some embodiments, the disposable package comprisesa small tube with an end cap, an optical index matching gel inside thesmall tube, and two alcohol patches. The small tube is disposed behindat least one alcohol patch. The small tube is also configured to ejectat least one alcohol patch after the package being cut open. In someother embodiments, the disposable package comprises a cup with atightened rim. The size of the cup matches a profile of the front end ofthe housing. The disposable package also comprises a disinfectant and analcohol patch. The disinfectant is disposed in a package with a seal.The disinfectant is configured to be released to the cup after the sealbeing cut.

In various embodiments, an eye imaging medical system comprising an eyeimaging apparatus is disclosed. The eye imaging apparatus includes ahousing, a light source, and an image sensor disposed to receive animage of the eye. The light source and the image sensor are connected tothe housing. The apparatus also comprises a hand-held computing device,configured to receive and transmit the image. The apparatus furthercomprises an adaptation module in the housing comprising amicrocontroller and a signal processing unit. The adaptation module isconfigured to adapt the hand-held computing device to control the lightsource and the image sensor. The eye imaging medical system furthercomprises an image computing module configured to receive the image fromand exchange data with the eye imaging apparatus, an image storagemodule comprising a database, configured to store the image, and animage review module comprising a display, configured to display theimage.

In some other embodiments, an eye imaging medical system comprises aneye imaging apparatus which includes a housing and an exterior imagingmodule configured to image an anterior segment of an eye. The exteriorimaging system comprises a first lighting unit comprising a first lightsource to illuminate the eye, a second lighting unit comprising a secondlight source to illuminate the eye, and a miniature camera. Theminiature camera includes an image sensor configured to receive an imageof the eye and at least one lens between the eye and the image sensor.The image sensor is positioned between the first lighting unit and thesecond lighting unit. The first optical axis of the first lighting unitand the second optical axis of the second lighting unit are converged atan optical axis of the miniature camera. The eye imaging apparatusfurther comprises a computing and communication unit in the housing,configured to receive and transmit the image. The eye imaging medicalsystem further comprises an image computing module configured to receivethe image from and exchange data with the eye imaging apparatus, animage storage module comprising a database, configured to store theimage, and an image review module comprising a display, configured todisplay the image.

In some alternative embodiments, an eye imaging medical system comprisesan eye imaging apparatus which includes a housing, a front imagingmodule for imaging a posterior segment of an eye and an exterior imagingmodule for imaging an anterior segment of the eye. The front imagingmodule includes a posterior light source, a posterior optical imagingsystem comprising an optical window at a front end of the housing with aconcave front surface for receiving the eye, and a posterior imagesensor inside the housing disposed to receive a posterior image from theposterior segment of the eye. The exterior imaging module includes afirst anterior lighting unit comprising a first anterior light source toilluminate an anterior segment of the eye, a miniature camera comprisingan anterior image sensor disposed to receive an anterior image from theanterior segment of the eye, and a computing and communication unit inthe housing, configured to receive and transmit the image. The eyeimaging medical system further comprises an image computing moduleconfigured to receive the image from and exchange data with the eyeimaging apparatus, an image storage module comprising a database,configured to store the image, and an image review module comprising adisplay, configured to display the image.

Various embodiments also disclose a method for imaging an eye. Themethod comprises illuminating an eye by using a light source to form animage of the eye, receiving the image by using an image sensor,controlling the light source and the image sensor by using a hand-heldcomputing device through an adaptation module, and receiving andtransmitting the image by using the hand-held computing device.

In some embodiments, a method of imaging an anterior segment of an eyeis disclosed. The method comprises illuminating an anterior segment ofan eye by a first lighting unit comprising a first light source and asecond lighting unit comprising a second light source, receiving animage of the anterior segment by using an image sensor, wherein theimage sensor is positioned between the first lighting unit and thesecond lighting unit. The method further comprises controlling the firstlight source, the second light source and the image sensor by using ahand-held computing device, and receiving and transmitting the image byusing the hand-held computing device.

Various embodiments disclose a method of imaging an eye by using an eyeimaging medical system. The method comprises imaging a posterior segmentand an anterior segment of an eye by using a hand-held eye imagingapparatus. Using the hand-held eye imaging apparatus comprisesilluminating the posterior segment by using a first light source insidea housing, receiving a first image of the posterior segment by using afirst image sensor, illuminating the anterior segment by using a secondlight source, receiving a second image of the anterior segment by usinga second image sensor, controlling the first and the second lightsource, the first and the second image sensor by using a hand-heldcomputing device inside the housing, receiving and transmitting thefirst and the second image by using the hand-held computing device. Themethod further comprises transferring the first and the second image toan image computing module, storing the first and the second image in animage storage module with a database, and displaying the first and thesecond image on an image review module comprising a large displaymonitor.

Various embodiments include a hand-held eye imaging apparatus, which iscompact and may be carried away to the remote rural areas. The hand-heldeye imaging apparatus utilizes the advanced features of wireless datatransmission and high computing power of a hand-held computing device.The hand-held eye imaging apparatus is capable to image both theposterior segment and the anterior segment of the eye. In addition, thehand-held eye imaging apparatus may also be connected with an ultrasoundprobe. The versatile hand-held eye imaging apparatus may use miniaturecameras and solid state lighting technology to achieve high imagingperformance and significant size reduction.

The hand-held eye imaging apparatus may be used in an eye imagingmedical system. The users with little training may carry the hand-heldeye imaging apparatus in a small carrying box to the remote rural areas.The images of an eye of a patient, including both the posterior segmentand the anterior segment, may be captured by using the hand-held eyeimaging apparatus. Then the images may be transferred to the imagecomputing module, stored in the image storage module and displayed onthe image review module. The images may reviewed by highly trainedmedical professionals through the eye imaging medical system in moreconvenient locations, such as in hospitals or large eye care clinics inthe cities.

Various embodiments disclosed herein include:

Embodiment 1. An eye imaging apparatus comprising:

-   -   a light source configured to illuminate an eye;    -   an image sensor disposed to receive an image of the eye;    -   a computing and communication unit comprising a modified mobile        computing device configured to receive and transmit the image;        and    -   an adaptation module configured to adapt the modified mobile        computing device to control the light source and the image        sensor.

Embodiment 2. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 1, wherein themodified mobile computing device comprises a modified hand-heldcomputing device.

Embodiment 3. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 2, wherein themodified mobile computing device is a modified smart phone.

Embodiment 4. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 2, wherein thesignal processing unit comprises instructions to convert the signalsfrom the image sensor and the light source to a data format that isrecognizable by one of the input/output ports of the hand-held computingdevice and to convert the signals from one of the input/output ports ofthe hand-held computing device to a data format that is recognizable bythe image sensor and the light source.

Embodiment 5. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 1, furthercomprising a primary control button, wherein the primary control buttoncomprises a multi-functional and multi-directional button, wherein theprimary control button comprises electrical switches to control thelight source and the image sensor through the adaptation module.

Embodiment 6. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 2, furthercomprising at least one lens positioned between the eye and the imagesensor, wherein the lens is movable by an actuator, and wherein theadaptation module is further configured to adapt the hand-held computingdevice to control the actuator of the lens.

Embodiment 7. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 6, wherein thesignal processing unit includes instructions to convert the signals fromat least one of the image sensor, the light source and the actuator ofthe lens to a data format that is recognizable by one of theinput/output ports of the hand-held computing device, and to convert thesignals from one of the input/output ports of the hand-held computingdevice to a data format that is recognizable by at least one of theimage sensor, the light source and the actuator of the lens.

Embodiment 8. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 6, furthercomprising a primary control button, wherein the primary control buttoncomprises a multi-functional and multi-directional button, wherein theprimary control button comprises electrical switches to control thelight source, the image sensor and the actuator of the lens through theadaptation module.

Embodiment 9. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 1, furthercomprising a driver module configured to drive the light source.

Embodiment 10. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 1, furthercomprising a multiplexing module.

Embodiment 11. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 2, furthercomprising at least one control button exposed from the hand-heldcomputing device configured to be operational through a mechanicalrelay.

Embodiment 12. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 1, wherein thecomputing and communication unit is configured to receive and transmitthe image by a wired communication system.

Embodiment 13. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 1, wherein thecomputing and communication unit is configured to receive and transmitthe image by a wireless communication system.

Embodiment 14. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 1, wherein theeye imaging apparatus is configured to be powered by a battery.

Embodiment 15. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 3, the modifiedsmart phone comprising at least one of a low power central processingunit, a graphic processing unit, an operating system, a touch screendisplay, a microphone, a speaker and a module for wireless connectivity.

Embodiment 16. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 1, wherein theimage comprises a video stream.

Embodiment 17. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 1, wherein thelight source, the image sensor, and the adaptation module are disposedinside a housing.

Embodiment 18. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 1, wherein thelight source and the image sensor are disposed on an exterior portion ofa housing.

Embodiment 19. An eye imaging apparatus comprising:

-   -   a front imaging module comprising:    -   a light source configured to illuminate an eye;        -   an optical imaging system comprising:            -   an optical window at a front end of the housing with a                concave front surface for receiving the eye; and    -   a main module comprising        -   an image sensor disposed to receive an image of the eye from            the optical imaging system,        -   a computing and communication unit comprising a modified            mobile computing device, configured to receive and transmit            the image; and    -   an adaptation module configured to adapt the modified mobile        computing device to control the light source and the image        sensor.

Embodiment 20. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 19, wherein themodified mobile computing device is a hand-held computing device.

Embodiment 21. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 20, wherein themodified mobile computing device is a modified smart phone.

Embodiment 22. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 19, wherein theadaptation module includes instructions to convert the signals from atleast one of the image sensor and the light source to a data format thatis recognizable by one of the input/output ports of the modified mobilecomputing device, and to convert the signals from one of theinput/output ports of the modified mobile computing device to a dataformat that is recognizable by at least one of the image sensor and thelight source.

Embodiment 23. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 19, furthercomprising a primary control button, wherein the primary control buttoncomprises a multi-functional and multi-directional button, wherein theprimary control button comprises electrical switches to control thelight source and the image sensor through the adaptation module.

Embodiment 24. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 19, furthercomprising at least one lens positioned between the eye and the imagesensor, wherein the at least one lens is movable by an actuator, andwherein the adaptation module is further configured to adapt themodified mobile computing device to control the actuator of the lens.

Embodiment 25. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 24, wherein theadaptation module includes instructions to convert the signals from atleast one of the image sensor, the light source and the actuator of thelens to a data format that is recognizable by one of the input/outputports of the modified mobile computing device, and to convert thesignals from one of the input/output ports of the modified mobilecomputing device to a data format that is recognizable by at least oneof the image sensor, the light source and the actuator of the lens.

Embodiment 26. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 24, furthercomprising a primary control button, wherein the primary control buttoncomprises a multi-functional and multi-directional button, wherein theprimary control button comprises electrical switches to control thelight source, the image sensor and the actuator of the lens through theadaptation module.

Embodiment 27. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 19, furthercomprising a driver module configured to drive the light source.

Embodiment 28. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 19, furthercomprising a multiplexing module.

Embodiment 29. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 19, furthercomprising at least one control button exposed from the modified mobilecomputing device configured to be operational through a mechanicalrelay.

Embodiment 30. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 19, wherein thefront imaging module is capable of being repeatedly attached to andremoved from the main module.

Embodiment 31. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 30, wherein theeye imaging apparatus further comprises a locking ring between the frontimaging module and the main module.

Embodiment 32. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 19, wherein thefront imaging module is configured to be replaced with an ultrasoundprobe.

Embodiment 33. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 19, wherein themodified mobile computing device is mounted at a top of a housing,wherein the front imaging module is mounted at another side with theoptical window at a bottom of the housing.

Embodiment 34. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 19, wherein themodified mobile computing device is mounted at an inclined angle withthe optical axis of the optical imaging system.

Embodiment 35. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 19, wherein themodified mobile computing device is mounted substantially perpendicularto the optical axis of the optical imaging system.

Embodiment 36. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 19, wherein themodified mobile computing device is mounted substantially parallel tothe optical axis of the optical imaging system.

Embodiment 37. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 19, wherein theeye imaging apparatus is configured to receive and transmit the image bya wired communication system.

Embodiment 38. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 19, wherein theeye imaging apparatus is configured to receive and transmit the image bya wireless communication system.

Embodiment 39. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 19, wherein theeye imaging apparatus is configured to be powered by a battery.

Embodiment 40. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 19, wherein themain module further comprises a power receiver unit configured toreceive power without a connection cable.

Embodiment 41. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 19, the modifiedmobile computing device comprising at least one of a low power centralprocessing unit, a graphic processing unit, an operating system, a touchscreen display, a microphone, a speaker and a module for wirelessconnectivity.

Embodiment 42. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 19, wherein theimage comprises a video stream.

Embodiment 43. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 19, comprising ahousing having a cylindrical section and a cuboid section.

Embodiment 44. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 43, furthercomprising a rubber ring with a bump, wherein the rubber grip ring isdisposed along the cylindrical section of the housing, wherein the bumpis configured to fit with a palm of a user.

Embodiment 45. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 19, furthercomprising a second imaging module comprising a second light source, asecond image sensor, wherein the second image sensor is configured toreceive a second image of the eye, wherein the adaptation module isfurther configured to adapt the modified mobile computing device tocontrol the second light source and the second image sensor.

Embodiment 46. An eye imaging apparatus comprising:

-   -   a housing;        -   an exterior imaging module comprising        -   a lighting unit comprising a light source configured to            illuminate an eye;            -   an image sensor disposed to receive an image of the eye;            -   wherein the exterior imaging module is disposed on an                exterior portion of the housing; and        -   a main module in the housing comprising            -   a computing and communication unit comprising a modified                mobile computing device configured to receive and                transmit the image; and            -   an adaptation module in the housing, wherein the                adaptation module is configured to adapt the hand-held                computing device to control the light source and the                image sensor.

Embodiment 47. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 46, wherein themodified mobile computing device comprises a modified hand-heldcomputing device.

Embodiment 48. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 46, wherein themodified mobile computing device comprises a modified smart phone.

Embodiment 49. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 46, whereinadaptation module includes instructions to convert the signals from atleast one of the image sensor and the light source to a data format thatis recognizable by one of the input/output ports of the modified mobilecomputing device, and to convert the signals from one of theinput/output ports of the modified mobile computing device to a dataformat that is recognizable by at least one of the image sensor and thelight source.

Embodiment 50. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 46, furthercomprising a primary control button, wherein the primary control buttoncomprises a multi-functional and multi-directional button, wherein theprimary control button comprises electrical switches to control thelight source and the image sensor through the adaptation module.

Embodiment 51. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 46, furthercomprising at least one lens positioned between the eye and the imagesensor, wherein the lens is movable by an actuator; wherein theadaptation module is further configured to adapt the modified mobilecomputing device to control the actuator of the lens.

Embodiment 52. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 51, wherein theadaptation module comprises a signal processing unit that comprisesinstructions to convert the signals from at least one of the imagesensor, the light source and the actuator of the lens to a data formatthat is recognizable by one of the input/output ports of the modifiedmobile computing device, and to convert the signals from one of theinput/output ports of the modified mobile computing device to a dataformat that is recognizable by at least one of the image sensor, thelight source and the actuator of the lens.

Embodiment 53. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 51, furthercomprising a primary control button, wherein the primary control buttoncomprises a multi-functional and multi-directional button disposed onthe housing, wherein the primary control button comprises electricalswitches to control the light source, the image sensor and the actuatorof the lens through the adaptation module.

Embodiment 54. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 46, furthercomprising a driver module inside the housing configured to drive thelight source.

Embodiment 55. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 46, furthercomprising a multiplexing module inside the housing.

Embodiment 56. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 46, furthercomprising at least one control button exposed from the modified mobilecomputing device configured to be operational through a mechanicalrelay.

Embodiment 57. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 46, wherein theeye imaging apparatus is configured to receive and transmit the image bya wired communication system.

Embodiment 58. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 46, wherein theeye imaging apparatus is configured to receive and transmit the image bya wireless communication system.

Embodiment 59. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 46, wherein theeye imaging apparatus is configured to be powered by a battery.

Embodiment 60. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 46, wherein themodified mobile device comprises at least one of a low power centralprocessing unit, a graphic processing unit, an operating system, a touchscreen display, a microphone, a speaker and a module for wirelessconnectivity.

Embodiment 61. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 46, wherein theimage comprises a video stream.

Embodiment 62. The eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 46, furthercomprising a front imaging module comprising a second light source andan optical window at a front end thereof with a concave front surfacefor receiving the eye, wherein the main module further comprises asecond image sensor, wherein the second image sensor is configured toreceive a second image of the eye, wherein the adaptation module isfurther configured to adapt the modified mobile computing device tocontrol the second light source and the second image sensor.

Embodiment 63. A hand-held eye imaging apparatus comprising:

-   -   an anterior eye imaging module comprising    -   a first lighting unit comprising a first light source to        illuminate an eye;    -   a second lighting unit comprising a second light source to        illuminate the eye;    -   a miniature camera comprising:    -   an image sensor configured to receive an image of the eye; and    -   at least one lens between the eye and the image sensor;    -   wherein the image sensor is positioned between the first        lighting unit and the second lighting unit, wherein a first        optical axis of the first lighting unit and a second optical        axis of the second lighting unit are converged at an optical        axis of the miniature camera;    -   wherein the anterior eye imaging module is configured to image        an anterior segment of the eye.

Embodiment 64. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 63,wherein the image sensor is positioned at a first distance to the firstlighting unit and at a second distance to the second lighting unit,wherein the first distance is equal to the second distance.

Embodiment 65. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 63,wherein the first light source comprises a first light emitting elementand the second light source comprises a second light emitting element.

Embodiment 66. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 63,wherein the first lighting unit is configured to emit a first divergentlight beam, and the second lighting unit is configured to emit a seconddivergent light beam.

Embodiment 67. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 63,wherein the first and the second light source emit light in a narrowbandspectrum.

Embodiment 68. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 63,wherein the first and the second light source emit light in a broadbandspectrum.

Embodiment 69. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 63,wherein the first and the second light source emit light in visiblespectrum.

Embodiment 70. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 63,wherein the first and the second light source emit light in invisiblespectrum.

Embodiment 71. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 63,wherein the image sensor comprises a miniature sensor with a format nomore than 1/2.2 inches or 1/3.2 inches.

Embodiment 72. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 63,wherein the image sensor detects light in the visible spectrum.

Embodiment 73. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 63,wherein the image sensor detects light in the invisible spectrum.

Embodiment 74. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 63,wherein the hand-held eye imaging apparatus is configured to be poweredby a battery.

Embodiment 75. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 63,wherein the first and the second lighting units are configured to beactivated independently.

Embodiment 76. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 63,wherein the anterior eye imaging module further comprises a thirdlighting unit comprising a third light source, wherein the thirdlighting unit is positioned near the image sensor at a distance lessthan a size of the image sensor, and is configured to generate a focusedlight beam with a beam waist positioned at a distance less than 5 mmfrom the optical axis of the miniature camera.

Embodiment 77. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 76,wherein the third light source comprises a third light emitting element.

Embodiment 78. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 76,wherein the anterior eye imaging module further comprises a fourthlighting unit comprising a fourth light source, positioned near theimage sensor at a distance less than a size of the image sensor,configured to generate a divergent light beam.

Embodiment 79. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 78,wherein the fourth light source comprises a fourth light emittingelement.

Embodiment 80. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 63,wherein the anterior eye imaging module further comprises a thirdlighting unit comprising a third light source, positioned near the imagesensor at a distance less than a size of the image sensor, configured togenerate a divergent light beam.

Embodiment 81. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 80,wherein the third light source comprises a third light emitting element.

Embodiment 82. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 80,wherein the third light source emits light in the visible spectrum.

Embodiment 83. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 80,wherein the third light source emits light in the invisible spectrum.

Embodiment 84. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 63,further comprising a front imaging module, configured to image aposterior segment of the eye, wherein the front image module comprises aposterior light source, an optical window with a concave front surfacefor receiving the eye, an imaging lens disposed rearward the opticalwindow and optically aligned with the optical window, wherein thehand-held imaging apparatus further comprises a second image sensordisposed to receive a second image of the eye.

Embodiment 85. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 63,further comprising a main module comprising a computing andcommunication unit comprising modified mobile computing device,configured to receive and transmit the image, and an adaptation module iconfigured to adapt the modified mobile computing device to control atleast one of the first light source, the second light source and theimage sensor.

Embodiment 86. A hand-held eye imaging apparatus comprising:

-   -   an anterior eye imaging module comprising:        -   a first lighting unit comprising            -   a first light source to illuminate an eye; and            -   optics forward the first light source, configured to                generate a focused light beam; and    -   a miniature camera comprising        -   an image sensor configured to receive an image of the eye,            wherein the first lighting unit is positioned near the image            sensor at a distance less than a size of the image sensor;            and            -   at least one lens between the eye and the image sensor;        -   wherein the focused light beam has a beam waist positioned            at a distance less than about 5 mm from an optical axis of            the miniature camera;        -   wherein the anterior eye imaging module is configured to            image an anterior segment of the eye.

Embodiment 87. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 86,wherein the image sensor comprises a miniature sensor with a format nomore than about 1/2.2 inches or about 1/3.2 inches.

Embodiment 88. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 86,wherein the image sensor works in a spectrum of light visible to a humaneye.

Embodiment 89. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 86,wherein the image sensor works in a spectrum of light invisible to ahuman eye.

Embodiment 90. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 86,wherein the hand-held eye imaging apparatus is configured to be poweredby a battery.

Embodiment 91. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 86,wherein the first light source comprises a first light emitting element.

Embodiment 92. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 86,wherein the anterior eye imaging module further comprises a secondlighting unit comprising a second light source, positioned near theimage sensor at a distance less than the size of the image sensor,wherein the second lighting unit is configured to generate a divergentlight beam, wherein a second optical axis of the second lighting unit issubstantially parallel with the optical axis of the miniature camera.

Embodiment 93. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 92,wherein the second light source comprises a second light emittingelement.

Embodiment 94. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 92,wherein the second light source emits light in the visible spectrum.

Embodiment 95. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 92,wherein the second light source emits light in the invisible spectrum.

Embodiment 96. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 86,further comprising a front imaging module, configured to image aposterior segment of the eye, wherein the front image module comprises aposterior light source, an optical window with a concave front surfacefor receiving the eye, an imaging lens disposed rearward the opticalwindow and optically aligned with the optical window, wherein thehand-held imaging apparatus further comprises a second image sensor toreceive a second image of the eye.

Embodiment 97. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 86,further comprising a main module in the housing comprising a computingand communication unit comprising a modified mobile computing device,configured to receive and transmit the image, and an adaptation moduleconfigured to adapt the modified mobile computing device to control thefirst light source, the second light source and the image sensor.

Embodiment 98. A hand-held eye imaging apparatus comprising:

-   -   an anterior eye imaging module comprising:        -   a first lighting unit comprising:        -   a first light source configured to generate a divergent            light beam to illuminate an eye; and        -   a miniature camera comprising:    -   an image sensor configured to receive an image of the eye,        wherein the first lighting unit is positioned near the image        sensor at a distance less than a size of the image sensor; and        -   at least one lens between the eye and the image sensor;        -   wherein a first optical axis of the first lighting unit is            substantially parallel with the optical axis of the            miniature camera;        -   wherein the anterior eye imaging module is configured to            image an anterior segment of the eye.

Embodiment 99. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 98,wherein the image sensor comprises a miniature sensor with a format nomore than about 1/2.2 inches or about 1/3.2 inches.

Embodiment 100. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 98,wherein the image sensor detects light in the visible spectrum.

Embodiment 101. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 98,wherein the image sensor detects light in the invisible spectrum.

Embodiment 102. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 98,wherein the hand-held eye imaging apparatus is configured to be poweredby a battery.

Embodiment 103. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 98,wherein the first light source comprises a first light emitting element.

Embodiment 104. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 98,wherein the first light source emits light in the visible spectrum.

Embodiment 105. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 98,wherein the first light source emits light in the invisible spectrum.

Embodiment 106. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 98,further comprising a front imaging module configured to image aposterior segment of the eye, wherein the front image module comprises aposterior light source, an optical window with a concave front surfacefor receiving the eye, an imaging lens disposed rearward the opticalwindow and optically aligned with the optical window, wherein thehand-held imaging apparatus further comprises a second image sensor inthe housing disposed to receive a second image of the eye.

Embodiment 107. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 98,further comprising a main module in the housing comprising a computingand communication unit comprising a modified mobile computing device,configured to receive and transmit the image, and an adaptation module,wherein the adaptation module is configured to adapt the modified mobilecomputing device to control at least one of the first light source, thesecond light source and the image sensor.

Embodiment 108. A stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatuscomprising:

-   -   an anterior eye imaging module comprising:        -   a first lighting unit comprising a first light source to            illuminate an eye;        -   a second lighting unit comprising a second light source to            illuminate the eye;        -   a first miniature camera comprising a first image sensor            configured to receive a first image of the eye;        -   a second miniature camera comprising a second image sensor            configured to receive a second image of the eye;        -   wherein the first image sensor and the second image sensor            are positioned between the first lighting unit and the            second lighting unit,        -   wherein a first optical axis of the first miniature camera            and a second optical axis of the second miniature camera are            converged with a convergent angle,        -   wherein the anterior eye imaging module is configured to            image an anterior segment of the eye.

Embodiment 109. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus inEmbodiment 108, wherein the first image sensor is positioned at a firstdistance to the first lighting unit and at a second distance to thesecond lighting unit, wherein the first distance is substantially equalto the second distance, wherein the second image sensor is positionedproximate the first image sensor to provide stereo imaging.

Embodiment 110. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus inEmbodiment 109, wherein the first image sensor is optically aligned withan optical axis of the eye, wherein the second image sensor is tiltedwith the optical axis.

Embodiment 111. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus inEmbodiment 109, wherein the anterior eye imaging module furthercomprises optics in front of the second image sensor, wherein the secondoptical axis is in parallel with the first optical axis between theoptics and the second image sensor, wherein the optics is configured tobend the second optical axis to form a convergent angle with the firstoptical axis.

Embodiment 112. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus inEmbodiment 108, wherein the first image and the second image sensor arepositioned symmetrically about an optical axis of the eye.

Embodiment 113. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus inEmbodiment 108, wherein the anterior eye imaging module furthercomprises optics in front of the first image sensor and the second imagesensor, wherein the first optical axis and the second optical axis areparallel and separated with a distance between the optics and the firstand second image sensors, wherein the special optics is configured tobend the first optical axis and the second optical axis to form aconvergent angle.

Embodiment 114. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus inEmbodiment 108, wherein the first image sensor and the second imagesensor are symmetrically tilted to form a convergent angle.

Embodiment 115. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus inEmbodiment 108, wherein the first light source comprises a first lightemitting element and the second light source comprises a second lightemitting element.

Embodiment 116. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus inEmbodiment 108, wherein the convergent angle is fixed.

Embodiment 117. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus inEmbodiment 108, wherein the convergent angle is adjustable.

Embodiment 118. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus inEmbodiment 108, wherein the convergent angle is between 5 to 13 degrees.

Embodiment 119. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus inEmbodiment 108, wherein the first and the second light source emit lightin a narrowband spectrum.

Embodiment 120. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus inEmbodiment 108, wherein the first and the second light source emit lightin a broadband spectrum.

Embodiment 121. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus inEmbodiment 108, wherein the first and the second light source emit lightin visible spectrum.

Embodiment 122. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus inEmbodiment 108, wherein the first and the second light source emit lightin invisible spectrum.

Embodiment 123. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus inEmbodiment 108, wherein the first image sensor comprises a firstminiature sensor with a format no more than about 1/2.2 inches or about1/3.2 inches, and wherein the second image sensor comprises a secondminiature sensor with a format no more than about 1/2.2 inches or about1/3.2 inches.

Embodiment 124. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus inEmbodiment 108, wherein the first and the second image sensor detectlight in the visible spectrum.

Embodiment 125. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus inEmbodiment 108, wherein the first and the second image sensor detectlight in the invisible spectrum.

Embodiment 126. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus inEmbodiment 108, wherein the hand-held stereoscopic eye imaging apparatusis configured to be powered by a battery.

Embodiment 127. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus inEmbodiment 108, wherein the first and the second lighting units areconfigured to be activated independently.

Embodiment 128. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus inEmbodiment 108, wherein the anterior eye imaging module furthercomprises a third lighting unit comprising a third light source andoptics, wherein the third lighting unit is positioned near the imagesensor at a distance less than a size of the image sensor, wherein theoptics is configured to generate a focused light beam with a beam waistpositioned at a distance less than about 5 mm from the optical axis ofthe miniature camera.

Embodiment 129. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus inEmbodiment 128, wherein the third light source comprises a third lightemitting element.

Embodiment 130. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus inEmbodiment 128, wherein the anterior eye imaging module furthercomprises a fourth lighting unit comprising a fourth light source,positioned near the image sensor at a distance less than a size of theimage sensor, configured to generate a divergent light beam, wherein afourth optical axis of the fourth lighting unit is substantiallyparallel with the optical axis of the miniature camera.

Embodiment 131. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus inEmbodiment 130, wherein the fourth light source comprises a fourth lightemitting element.

Embodiment 132. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus inEmbodiment 108, wherein the exterior imaging module further comprises athird lighting unit comprising a third light source positioned near theimage sensor at a distance less than a size of the image sensor andconfigured to generate a divergent light beam, wherein a third opticalaxis of the third lighting unit is substantially parallel with theoptical axis of the miniature camera.

Embodiment 133. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus inEmbodiment 132, wherein the third light source comprises a third lightemitting element.

Embodiment 134. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus inEmbodiment 132, wherein the third light source emits light in thevisible spectrum.

Embodiment 135. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus inEmbodiment 132, wherein the third light source emits light in theinvisible spectrum.

Embodiment 136. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus inEmbodiment 108, further comprising a front imaging module configured toimage a posterior segment of the eye, wherein the front image modulecomprises a posterior light source, an optical window with a concavefront surface for receiving the eye, an imaging lens disposed rearwardthe optical window and optically aligned with the optical window,wherein the hand-held imaging apparatus further comprises a posteriorimage sensor disposed to receive a posterior image of the eye.

Embodiment 137. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus inEmbodiment 108, further comprising a main module comprising a computingand communication unit comprising a modified mobile computing device,the computing and communication unit configured to receive and transmitthe image, and an adaptation module configured to adapt the hand-heldcomputing device to control at least one of the first light source, thesecond light source, the first image sensor and the second image sensor.

Embodiment 138. A stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatuscomprising:

-   -   an anterior eye imaging module comprising:        -   a first lighting unit comprising a first light source to            illuminate an eye;        -   a first miniature camera comprising a first image sensor            configured to receive a first image of the eye;        -   a second miniature camera comprising a second image sensor            configured to receive a second image of the eye;        -   wherein the first image sensor is positioned near the first            lighting unit with a first distance less than 10 mm, and the            second image sensor is positioned near the first lighting            unit with a second distance less than 10 mm,        -   wherein a first optical axis of the first miniature camera            and a second optical axis of the second miniature camera are            converged with a convergent angle,        -   wherein the exterior imaging module is configured to image            an anterior segment of the eye.

Embodiment 139. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus inEmbodiment 138, wherein the first image sensor is optically aligned withan optical axis of the eye, wherein the second image sensor ispositioned closely near the first image sensor.

Embodiment 140. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus inEmbodiment 139, wherein the second image sensor is tilted with theoptical axis.

Embodiment 141. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus inEmbodiment 139, wherein the exterior imaging module further comprisesoptics in front of the second image sensor, wherein the optics isconfigured to bend the second optical axis to form a convergent anglewith the first optical axis.

Embodiment 142. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus inEmbodiment 138, wherein the first image and the second image sensor arepositioned symmetrically about an optical axis of the eye.

Embodiment 143. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus inEmbodiment 142, wherein the anterior eye imaging module furthercomprises optics in front of the first image sensor and the second imagesensor, wherein the optics is configured to bend the first optical axisand the second optical axis to form a convergent angle.

Embodiment 144. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus inEmbodiment 138, wherein the first image sensor and the second imagesensor are symmetrically tilted to form a convergent angle.

Embodiment 145. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus inEmbodiment 138, wherein the first lighting unit further comprises opticsconfigured to generate a focused light beam with a beam waist positionedat a distance less than about 5 mm from an optical axis of the eye.

Embodiment 146. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus inEmbodiment 138, wherein the first lighting unit is configured togenerate a divergent light beam, wherein a first optical axis of thefirst lighting unit is substantially parallel with an optical axis ofthe eye.

Embodiment 147. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus inEmbodiment 138, wherein the first light source comprises a first lightemitting element.

Embodiment 148. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus inEmbodiment 138, wherein the convergent angle is fixed.

Embodiment 149. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus inEmbodiment 138, wherein the convergent angle is adjustable.

Embodiment 150. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus inEmbodiment 138, wherein the convergent angle is between about 5 to about13 degrees.

Embodiment 151. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus inEmbodiment 138, wherein the first image sensor comprises a firstminiature sensor with a format no more than about 1/2.2 inches or about1/3.2 inches, and wherein the second image sensor comprises a secondminiature sensor with a format no more than about 1/2.2 inches or about1/3.2 inches.

Embodiment 152. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus inEmbodiment 138, wherein the stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatusis configured to be powered by a battery.

Embodiment 153. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus inEmbodiment 138, further comprising a front imaging module configured toimage a posterior segment of the eye, wherein the front image modulecomprises a posterior light source, an optical window with a concavefront surface for receiving the eye, an imaging lens disposed rearwardthe optical window and optically aligned with the optical window,wherein the stereoscopic hand-held imaging apparatus further comprises aposterior image sensor disposed to receive a posterior image of the eye.

Embodiment 154. The stereoscopic hand-held eye imaging apparatus inEmbodiment 138, further comprising a main module in the housingcomprising a computing and communication unit comprising a hand-heldcomputing device configured to receive and transmit the image, and anadaptation module configured to adapt the hand-held computing device tocontrol at least one of the first light source, the first image sensorand the second image sensor.

Embodiment 155. A hand-held eye imaging apparatus comprising:

-   -   a front imaging module comprising:    -   a posterior light source configured to illuminate a posterior        segment of an eye,    -   a posterior optical imaging system comprising:    -   an optical window with a concave front surface for receiving the        eye;    -   an imaging lens disposed rearward the optical window and        optically aligned with the optical window;    -   a posterior image sensor disposed to receive a posterior image        from the posterior segment of the eye; and    -   an anterior eye imaging module comprising:    -   a first anterior lighting unit comprising a first anterior light        source to illuminate an anterior segment of the eye; and    -   a miniature camera comprising        -   an anterior image sensor disposed to receive an anterior            image from the anterior segment of the eye; and        -   at least one lens between the eye and the anterior image            sensor.

Embodiment 156. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 155,wherein the anterior eye imaging module further comprises a secondanterior lighting unit comprising a second anterior light source toilluminate the anterior segment of the eye, wherein the anterior imagesensor is positioned between the first anterior lighting unit and thesecond anterior lighting unit, wherein a first optical axis of the firstanterior lighting unit and a second optical axis of the second anteriorlighting unit are converged at an optical axis of the miniature camera;

Embodiment 157. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 155,wherein the anterior eye imaging module further comprises optics,wherein the first anterior lighting unit is positioned near the anteriorimage sensor at a distance less than a size of the anterior imagesensor, wherein the optics is configured to generate a focused lightbeam with a beam waist positioned at a distance less than about 5 mmfrom an optical axis of the miniature camera.

Embodiment 158. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 155,wherein the first anterior lighting unit is positioned near the anteriorimage sensor at a distance less than a size of the anterior imagesensor, wherein the first anterior lighting unit is configured togenerate a divergent light beam, wherein a first optical axis of thefirst anterior lighting unit is substantially parallel with an opticalaxis of the miniature camera.

Embodiment 159. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 155,wherein the hand-held eye imaging apparatus is configured to be poweredby a battery.

Embodiment 160. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 155,further comprising a main module comprising a computing andcommunication unit comprising a hand-held computing device configured toreceive and transmit the image, and an adaptation module configured toadapt the hand-held computing device to control at least one of theposterior light source, the posterior image sensor, the first anteriorlight source, and the anterior image sensor.

Embodiment 161. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus in Embodiment 160,wherein the hand-held eye imaging apparatus is configured to receive andtransmit the image wirelessly.

Embodiment 162. A lens cleaning apparatus comprising:

-   -   an accessory comprising:        -   a disposable package comprising        -   a small tube;        -   an optical index matching gel inside the small tube; and        -   two alcohol patches.

Embodiment 163. A lens cleaning apparatus comprising:

-   -   a disposable package comprising    -   a cup having a tightened rim, wherein a size of the cup matches        a profile of the front end of a hand-held camera;    -   a disinfectant disposed in a package with a seal, wherein the        disinfectant is configured to be released to the cup; and    -   an alcohol patch.

Embodiment 164. An eye imaging medical system comprising:

-   -   an eye imaging apparatus comprising:    -   a light source configured to illuminate an eye;    -   an image sensor disposed to receive an image of the eye;    -   a computing and communication unit comprising a modified mobile        computing device, configured to receive and transmit the image;        and    -   an adaptation module configured to adapt the hand-held computing        device to control the light source and the image sensor, and    -   an image computing module configured to receive the image from        and exchange data with the eye imaging apparatus;    -   an image storage module comprising a database configured to        store the image; and    -   an image review module comprising a display configured to        display the image.

Embodiment 165.. The eye imaging medical system in Embodiment 164,wherein the image is transferred among the eye imaging apparatus, theimage computing module, the image storage module, and the imagereviewing module in real time.

Embodiment 166. The eye imaging medical system in Embodiment 164,wherein the image is transferred among the hand-held eye imagingapparatus, the image computing module, the image storage module, and theimage reviewing module wirelessly.

Embodiment 167. The eye imaging medical system in Embodiment 164,further comprising a carrying case, wherein the eye imaging apparatus isplaced inside the carrying case.

Embodiment 168. The eye imaging medical system in Embodiment 167,wherein the carrying case is less than 600 mm×400 mm×300 mm.

Embodiment 169. The eye imaging medical system in Embodiment 167,wherein the carrying case is disposed on a shelf of a mobile cart,wherein an information input device is disposed on the cart.

Embodiment 170. The eye imaging medical system in Embodiment 167,wherein the carrying case comprises a plurality of regions to hold oneor more of the eye imaging apparatus, the image computing module, anpower supply, an extra battery, and a disposable package.

Embodiment 171. The eye imaging medical system in Embodiment 169,wherein the carrying case further comprises a region to hold a printer.

Embodiment 172. A kit comprising a disposable package comprising asufficient amount of optical index matching gel inside a small tube, andtwo alcohol patches, wherein the small tube is disposed behind at leastone alcohol patch, wherein the small tube is configured to eject atleast one alcohol patch.

Embodiment 173. A kit comprising a disposable package comprising a cuphaving a tightened rim, wherein a size of the cup matches a profile ofthe front end of a camera, a disinfectant disposed in a package with aseal, wherein the disinfectant is configured to be released to the cup,and an alcohol patch.

Embodiment 174. An eye imaging medical system comprising:

-   -   a hand-held eye imaging apparatus comprising:    -   an anterior eye imaging module comprising:    -   a first lighting unit comprising a first light source to        illuminate an eye;    -   a second lighting unit comprising a second light source to        illuminate the eye;    -   a miniature camera comprising:    -   an image sensor configured to receive an image of the eye; and    -   at least one lens between the eye and the image sensor;    -   wherein the image sensor is positioned between the first        lighting unit and the second lighting unit, wherein a first        optical axis of the first lighting unit and a second optical        axis of the second lighting unit are converged at an optical        axis of the miniature camera;    -   wherein the anterior eye imaging module is configured to image        an anterior segment of the eye; and        -   a computing and communication unit and configured to receive            and transmit the image, and    -   an image computing module configured to receive the image from        and exchange data with the eye imaging apparatus;    -   an image storage module comprising a database, configured to        store the image; and    -   an image review module comprising a display, configured to        display the image.

Embodiment 175. An eye imaging medical system comprising:

-   -   a hand-held eye imaging apparatus comprising:        -   a housing;        -   a front imaging module comprising:        -   a light source configured to illuminate an eye;            -   an optical imaging system comprising:                -   an optical window with a concave front surface for                    receiving the eye; and        -   a main module comprising:            -   an image sensor disposed to receive an image of the eye                from the optical imaging system; and        -   a computing and communication unit, configured to receive            and transmit the image, and    -   an image computing module configured to receive the image from        and exchange data with the eye imaging apparatus;    -   an image storage module comprising a database configured to        store the image; and    -   an image review module comprising a display configured to        display the image.

Embodiment 176. An eye imaging medical system comprising:

-   -   a hand-held eye imaging apparatus comprising:        -   a front imaging module comprising:        -   a posterior light source configured to illuminate a            posterior segment of an eye,        -   a posterior optical imaging system comprising an optical            window at a front end of the housing with a concave front            surface for receiving the eye;    -   a posterior image sensor disposed to receive a posterior image        from the posterior segment of the eye;    -   an anterior eye imaging module on an exterior portion of the        housing comprising:        -   a first anterior lighting unit comprising a first anterior            light source to illuminate an anterior segment of the eye;        -   a miniature camera comprising an anterior image sensor            disposed to receive an anterior image from the anterior            segment of the eye; and    -   a computing and communication unit in the housing, configured to        receive and transmit the image, and    -   an image computing module configured to receive the image from        and exchange data with the eye imaging apparatus;    -   an image storage module comprising a database configured to        store the image; and    -   an image review module comprising a display configured to        display the image.

Embodiment 177. A method for imaging an eye comprising

-   -   illuminating an eye by using a light source to form an image of        the eye;    -   receiving the image by using an image sensor;    -   controlling the light source and the image sensor by using a        modified mobile computing device through an adaptation module;        and    -   receiving and transmitting the image by using the modified        mobile computing device.

Embodiment 178. The method of imaging an eye in Embodiment 177, furthercomprising controlling an actuator of at least one lens by using themodified mobile computing device through the adaptation module.

Embodiment 179. The method of imaging an eye in Embodiment 177, furthercomprising converting signals from at least one of the image sensor andthe light source to a data format that is recognizable by one of theinput/output ports of the modified mobile computing device, andconverting signals from one of the input/output ports of the modifiedmobile computing device to a data format that is recognizable by atleast one of the image sensor and the light source by a signalprocessing unit in the adaptation module.

Embodiment 180. A method of imaging an anterior segment of an eyecomprising:

-   -   illuminating an anterior segment of an eye by a first lighting        unit comprising a first light source and a second lighting unit        comprising a second light source,    -   receiving an image of the anterior segment by using an image        sensor, wherein the image sensor is positioned between the first        lighting unit and the second lighting unit;    -   controlling the first light source, the second light source and        the image sensor by using a modified mobile device; and    -   receiving and transmitting the image by using the modified        mobile computing device.

Embodiment 181. The method of imaging an anterior segment of an eye inEmbodiment 180, further comprising illuminating the anterior segment ofthe eye by a third lighting unit comprising a third light source,wherein the third lighting unit is positioned near the image sensor at adistance less than a size of the image sensor, wherein the thirdlighting unit is configured to generate a focused light beam with a beamwaist positioned at a distance less than about 5 mm from the opticalaxis of the eye.

Embodiment 182. The method of imaging an anterior segment of an eye inEmbodiment 181, further comprising illuminating the anterior segment ofthe eye by a fourth lighting unit comprising a fourth light source,wherein the fourth lighting unit is positioned near the image sensor ata distance less than a size of the image sensor, wherein the fourthlighting unit is configured to generate a divergent light beam.

Embodiment 183. A method of imaging an eye by using an eye imagingmedical system comprising:

-   -   imaging a posterior segment and an anterior segment of an eye by        using a hand-held eye imaging apparatus comprising    -   illuminating the posterior segment by using a first light source        inside a housing,    -   receiving a first image of the posterior segment by using a        first image sensor, illuminating the anterior segment by using a        second light source,    -   receiving a second image of the anterior segment by using a        second image sensor,    -   controlling the first and the second light source, the first and        the second image sensor by using a modified hand-held computing        device,    -   receiving and transmitting the first and the second image by        using the modified hand-held computing device;    -   transferring the first and the second image to an image        computing module;    -   storing the first and the second image in an image storage        module with a database; and    -   displaying the first and the second image on an image review        module comprising a large display monitor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a hand-held eye imaging apparatus inaccordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 2(A) schematically illustrates a perspective view of the hand-heldeye imaging apparatus comprising a removable front imaging module, amain module and a locking ring, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 2(B) schematically illustrates a side view of the hand-held eyeimaging apparatus comprising a removable front imaging module, a mainmodule and a locking ring, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 3(A) schematically illustrates additional details of the hand-heldeye imaging apparatus comprising the removable front imaging module andthe main module, according to various embodiments.

FIG. 3(B) schematically illustrates the optical imaging system of thehand-held eye imaging apparatus comprising the removable front imagingmodule and the main module, according to various embodiments.

FIG. 3(C) schematically illustrates a block diagram of the eye imagingapparatus comprising an adaptation module.

FIG. 3(D) schematically illustrates a block diagram of the hand-held eyeimaging apparatus comprising a hand-held computing device, according tovarious embodiments.

FIG. 3(E) schematically illustrates the eye imaging apparatus comprisinga primary control button interfaced with the adaptation module,according to various embodiments.

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates an exterior imaging module disposed onthe exterior portion of housing of the eye imaging apparatus, accordingto various embodiments.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a special illumination configuration ofthe exterior imaging module, according to various embodiments.

FIG. 6(A) schematically illustrates an eye imaging apparatus comprisinga second miniature camera with a second image sensor to takestereoscopic images, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 6(B) schematically illustrates a special illumination system forthe stereoscopic exterior imaging module.

FIG. 7(A) schematically illustrates another embodiment of a stereoscopicexterior imaging module.

FIG. 7(B) schematically illustrates an exterior imaging module withstereoscopic (3D) imaging capability, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 8(A) schematically illustrates additional stereoscopic exteriorimaging module, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 8(B) schematically illustrates other stereoscopic exterior imagingmodule, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a disposable package for the hand-heldeye imaging apparatus, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 10 schematically illustrates the disposable package for the eyeimaging apparatus, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 11 schematically illustrates a disposable package for improveddisinfection treatment of the hand-held eye imaging apparatus, accordingto some embodiments.

FIG. 12 schematically illustrates a networking eye imaging systemcomprising the hand-held eye imaging apparatus.

FIG. 13 schematically illustrates the networking eye imaging system on acart, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram of the networking eye imagingsystem comprising the hand-held eye imaging apparatus, according tovarious embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention now will be described in detail with reference tothe accompanying figures. This invention may be embodied in manydifferent forms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplaryembodiments discussed herein.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a hand-held eye imaging apparatus 100,according to various embodiments. For example, the eye imaging apparatus100 can comprise a housing comprising a cylindrical portion 111 and acuboid portion 112. The cuboid portion 112 can be mounted on top of thecylindrical portion 111 in some embodiments. The cylindrical portion 111can have a tapered front portion 116, which may be closer to an eye of apatient during an examination procedure. The cylindrical portion 111 canhave a length between about 50 mm and about 200 mm, and a diameterbetween about 20 mm and about 80 mm in some embodiments. The cylindricalportion 111 can have a front portion 116 and a back portion 118. Thefront portion 116 of the cylindrical portion 111 can be in afrusto-conical or truncated cone shape with a length between about 10 mmand about 50 mm, and a diameter between about 5 mm and about 20 mm at afront end 113 in some embodiments. The back portion 118 of thecylindrical portion 111 can be connected to the cuboid portion 112. Thecuboid portion 112 may comprise a touch screen display 105. Thedimension of the cuboid portion 112 can be between about 50 mm×100 mmand about 130 mm×200 mm in some embodiments. The cuboid portion 112 maybe mounted at an angle with the cylindrical portion 111. The angle maybe between about 0 and 90 degrees in some embodiments. The cuboidportion 112 may be perpendicular to the cylindrical portion 111 in someembodiments. The cuboid portion 112 may also be parallel to thecylindrical portion 111 in some other embodiments. The cuboid portion112 and the cylindrical portion 111 may be integrally formed, e.g., soas to form a unitary body. For example, the cuboid portion 112 may bealong a sidewall of the cylindrical portion 111, in some embodiments.The eye imaging apparatus 100 may comprise only the cylindrical portion111, or only the cuboid portion 112 in various alternative embodiments.In some embodiments, the housing of the eye imaging apparatus 100 may bein other shapes, not limited to the combination of a cylindrical portionand a cuboid portion.

The eye imaging apparatus 100 may be compact to improve mobility,maneuverability, and/or portability. For example, in variousembodiments, the eye imaging apparatus 100 can have a size less thanabout 250 mm along the longest dimension thereof. For example, in someembodiments, the eye imaging apparatus 100 may be about 250 mm, 200 mm,150 mm, or 100 mm along the longest dimension. In some embodiments, theeye imaging apparatus 100 may weigh less than about 1 kg. For example,the eye imaging apparatus 100 may weigh between about 0.5 kg and about 1kg, between about 0.3 kg and about 1 kg, or between about 0.2 kg andabout 1 kg in various embodiments. Advantageously, the relatively smallsize and weight of the eye imaging apparatus 100 can improve theportability of the apparatus 100 relative to other systems, therebyenabling the user to easily move the apparatus 100 to differentlocations and to easily manipulate the apparatus 100 during use.

The eye imaging apparatus 100 can comprise a front imaging module 101and a main module 102 in various embodiments. The front imaging module101 can be configured to be repeatedly attached to and removed from themain module 102 in various embodiments. The front imaging module 101 maybe disposed at the front portion 116 of the cylindrical portion 111 ofthe housing. The main module 102 may be disposed at the back portion 118of the cylindrical portion 111 and possibly in the cuboid portion 112 ofthe housing. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus 100 may be used toimage the posterior segment of the eye through the front imaging module101. The front imaging module 101 may be removable and replaced withother imaging and illumination optics in various embodiments. Whenimaging and illumination optics are capable of being removed orreplaced, the potential applications of the eye imaging apparatus 100may be significantly expanded. For example, the eye imaging apparatus100 may be used to image the posterior segment of the eye with variousmagnifications, and under different illumination conditions, includingillumination from broadband and/or narrowband light sources. The iris ofthe patient may or may not need to be dilated with special drugs priorto the imaging procedure. Color images from the posterior segment of theeye may also be obtained in the form of mono (2D) or stereoscopic (3D)images. The front imaging module 101 may be designed to image theanterior segment of the eye. The front imaging module 101 may also bereplaced with an ultrasound probe, which is discussed in detail below.

The main module 102 can comprise a computing and communication unit. Thecomputing and communication unit may comprise a hand-held computingdevice 104, for example, a modified mobile computing device, in someembodiments. For example, the hand-held computing device 104 shown inFIG. 1 is a modified smart phone; in other embodiments, the hand-heldcomputing device 104 may be any other suitable modified mobile computingdevice. For example, the modified mobile computing device 104 cancomprise a retrofitted device in some arrangements. The modified mobilecomputing device 104 may comprise any of a low power central processingunit (CPU), a graphic processing unit (GPU), an operating system, atouch screen display, a microphone, a speaker and a miniature digitalcamera, as well as other modules for wireless connectivity such as WiFi,Bluetooth, and/or 3G/4G, or any combination thereof. The modified mobilecomputing device 104 can be capable of providing voice and/or datacommunication. The modified mobile computing device 104 can also beconfigured to enable web browsing through a wireless connection withdigital wireless data communication networks. The modified mobilecomputing device 104 may have enhanced and expanded high speed datacommunication capability and a higher computing power than aconventional mobile phone. The modified mobile computing device 104(e.g., a modified smart phone) may be based on smart phones with Androidor iOS mobile operating systems, as well as other operating systems. Themodified mobile computing device 104 may have built-in high speed datacommunication capability and high computing power. Adapting a standardmobile smart phone into a modified smart phone may be more costeffective than designing a computing and communication unit fromscratch. In addition, the touch screen display 105 of the mobilecomputing device 104 may be used as a display to review the image andmay also act as a user input interface to control the image capturingprocess. Captured images may be transferred to other computing devicesor internet-based devices, like storage units, through wired or wirelesscommunication systems. In various embodiments, the imaging apparatus canbe powered by a battery, thus improving the maneuverability andoperation by the user.

The hand-held eye imaging apparatus 100 can be designed to be operatedby users with little training. The cylindrical portion 111 may be usableas a handle to allow the users to easily hold the apparatus 100 withonly one hand. The users may precisely adjust the position and/or angleof the apparatus with one hand, freeing another hand to work on othertasks, for example, opening the eyelids of the patient with the fingers.The cuboid portion 112 may comprise a display and/or user inputinterface such as a touch screen display 105 to allow the users tonavigate through the multiple functions of the imaging apparatus andcontrol the image capturing process.

The eye imaging apparatus 100 may be used as a disease screening ormedical diagnostic device for various ophthalmic applications. Theapparatus 100 may be used in remote, rural areas where traveling to eyecare facilities may be inconvenient. The apparatus 100 may also be usedas a portable medical imaging device for other medical needs such asear-nose-and-throat (ENT) or dermatology applications. Furthermore, theimaging apparatus 100 may have applications in areas other than medicalapplications, for example, for security screening applications in whichthe images from the posterior/anterior segment of the eye may be usedfor personal identification purposes. The eye imaging apparatus 100 mayalso be used to image the eyes of animals. In such applications, theoptical design of the apparatus 100 may be substantially the same asthat used to image human eyes. In other embodiments, the optical designof the apparatus 100 may be modified for imaging the eyes of animals.For example, the eye imaging apparatus 100 may be used to image orphotograph the eyes of animals such as livestock, pets, and laboratorytest animals, including horses, cats, dogs, rabbits, rats, guinea pigs,mice, etc.

FIG. 2(A) and FIG. 2(B) schematically illustrate a hand-held eye imagingapparatus 200. Unless otherwise noted, reference numerals used in FIG. 2represent components similar to those illustrated in FIG. 1, with thereference numerals incremented by 100. As shown in FIG. 2(A) and FIG.2(B), the hand-held eye imaging apparatus 200 can include a removablefront imaging module 201, a main module 202 and a locking ring 203. Thecuboid portion 212 can be mounted on top of the cylindrical portion 211at an inclined angle, for allowing easier operation of the apparatus 200by the users. The cuboid portion 212 may comprise a touch screen display205. The orientation of the cuboid portion 212 shown in FIG. 2 howevermay be different from the cuboid portion 112 illustrated and describedwith respect to embodiments in FIG. 2 and in FIG. 1. The longerdimension of the cuboid portion 212 is from left to right in FIG. 2,while the shorter dimension of the cuboid portion 112 is from left toright in FIG. 1. The orientation of the cuboid portion 212 in FIG. 2 mayallow users to view the images in more natural way. However, the longeredge of the rectangular part 212 may block the view of the users fromseeing the photographed object directly.

The imaging apparatus may further comprise a locking ring 203 configuredto attach and/or remove the front imaging module 201 from the mainmodule 202. For example, the removable front imaging module 201 may bedetached from the main module 202 by moving or rotating the locking ring203 from a locked position to an unlocked position. The use of thelocking ring 203 may not only prevent accidental removal of the module201, but also may seal the gaps between two modules when a water-tightsealing is desired. The locking ring 203 can be attached to the mainmodule 202 by way of a mechanical locking structure provided by thelocking ring 203. The locking structure can be employed to allow theusers to both securely attach the front imaging module 201 with the mainmodule 202, and to detach the front imaging module 201 from the mainmodule 202. Part of the locking structure can be disposed in the frontimaging module 201, and part of the locking structure can be disposed inthe main module 202. In addition, a liquid-tight sealing structurecomprising two circular ring shaped surfaces can be disposed within thelocking ring 203 and around the cylindrical portion 211 of the housingbody. The two ring shaped surfaces, which can be disposed in the frontimaging module 201 and the main module 202, respectively, can haveprecisely matched contact surfaces between them. The two ring shapedsurfaces may comprise metal, plastic or rubber materials. When the tworing-shaped surfaces are pressed against each other, a liquid-tight sealcan be formed to prevent water or liquid from entering the cylindricalportion 211 of the housing from the outside. After the front imagingmodule 201 is attached to the main module 202, the locking ring 203 maybe moved or rotated to the locked position from the unlocked position.Moving the locking ring 203 to the locked position may help to preventaccidental removal of the module 201 and enable the liquid-tight sealingbetween module 201 and module 202. The locking ring 203 may also be usedin the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3(A) and 3(B) schematically illustrate additional details of ahand-held eye imaging apparatus 300. The apparatus 300 can comprise theremovable front imaging module 301 and the main module 302 in variousembodiments. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus 300 can be configuredto image both the posterior and the anterior segments of the eye. Toimage the posterior segment of the eye, an optical window 303 of theremovable front imaging module 301 may be carefully placed over thecornea of the eye. The optical window 303 can be designed to have aradius of curvature for a frontal surface closely matching a radius ofcurvature of the cornea. In some embodiments, for example, the outersurface of the optical window can have a radius of curvature of betweenabout 6 mm and about 15 mm. An optical index matching gel may be addedbetween the cornea and the optical window to reduce light scattering andoptical aberrations. The viscosity of the index matching gel may be atleast about 100 centipoise, at least about 200 centipoise, or at leastabout 300 centipoise in certain embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 3(B), illumination light can be projected from theoptical window 303. A light conditioning element 322 may be used toproject the light through the designated areas on the cornea and thecrystalline lens of the eye, and eventually onto the posterior segmentof the eye. An imaging lens 324 behind the optical window 303 may beused to form an image of the posterior segment, which includes the spacefrom the retina and the posterior vitreous chamber of the eye. A firstgroup of relay lenses 325 may be used to relay the image of theposterior segment to a secondary image plane 328. The secondary imageplane 328 may be positioned within the front imaging module 301 or themain module 302. A second group of relay lenses 329 may be added torelay the image from the secondary image plane 328 onto the image sensor320 which can be positioned within the main module 302. The image sensor320 can be configured to stream real-time video images and/or capturehigh resolution still images through various pre-programmed functions.The image sensor 320 may be any suitable type of imaging sensor, e.g., aCCD or CMOS sensors. Other type of image sensors may also be used.

The hand-held eye imaging apparatus 300 may comprise at least onefocusing lens 321 positioned in front of the image sensor 320. Thefocusing lens or lenses 321 may be configured to adjust a focal lengthor a magnification of the eye imaging apparatus 300. In variousembodiments, one or more of the focusing lenses 321 can be configured tobe moved or adjusted. For example, one or more of focusing lenses 321can be translated longitudinally along an optical axis of the opticalimaging system with respect to one or more of the other of the focusinglenses in the lens group 321. Displacing the focusing lenses 321relative to one another may change the effective optical focal length ofthe set of focusing lenses 321, which can change the magnification andcan result in an optical zoom for the images acquired. Actuators such asvoice coils, stepper motors or other types of actuators or combinationsthereof may be used to longitudinally translate one or more, or all, ofthe focusing lenses to change the effective focal length(s) and/orprovide zoom. During an eye imaging procedure, the focusing lens orlenses 321 may be controlled manually or automatically. In the fullyautomatic mode, the eye imaging apparatus 300 may automatically look forfeatures in the images and try to adjust the actuator of the focusinglens or lenses 321 to achieve the best focus. In the manual mode, theusers may select the area of focus over the live images by using thetouch screen monitor 305. The eye imaging apparatus 300 may adjust thefocusing lens or lenses 321 to achieve the best focus in that area andthen provide a visual or audible indication when the area is in focus.The image brightness or exposure may also be controlled throughautomatic or manual mode. In the automatic exposure mode, the users mayallow the eye imaging apparatus to adjust the brightness of the imagesautomatically based on preset imaging criteria. Alternatively, the usermay fine tune the exposure by gauging the proper exposure at a selectedarea in the image, which is often also the area for fine focusadjustment. The overall brightness of the image may be adjusted or setby the users according to their preference. The brightness of the imagemay be controlled by the sensitivity of the image sensor or luminance ofthe light source. In some embodiments, the sensitivity of the imagesensor can be set to a fixed level when the quality of the images or thenoise level of the image is a critical measure. The luminance of thelight source can be adjusted to achieve the desired brightness based onthe darkness of the retinal pigmentation layer. A maximum level ofallowable luminance may be set in order to prevent the illuminance fromexceeding the level allowed by regulations due to the concern ofphototoxicity to the eye.

During the imaging session, the operator may spend a significant amountof time adjusting the image brightness, focus, and field of view whileviewing the live images on the screen. The operator may capture fewpictures in a short time afterwards. In some embodiments, to reduce theamount of light to which the patient's eye is exposed, the sensitivityof the image sensor during the adjustment process may be configured toincrease by a suitable amount, e.g., by 2 or 4 times higher than thedesired level of sensitivity during the imaging session when the imagesare captured. The increased sensitivity may accordingly result in areduction in the level of illumination light by 2 or 4 times, althoughsuch increase in sensor sensitivity may cause a higher noise level andpoor image quality for the live images. When the operator captures stillpictures during the imaging session, the sensitivity of the image sensormay be configured to momentarily decrease to the desired level toprovide acceptable image quality. At the same time, the amount ofillumination light can be configured to increase by the same ratiomomentarily, which may result in the same exposure and brightness forthe still images with higher image quality and a lower noise level. Theincrease of the sensor's light sensitivity during the adjustment processmay be 2 times, 3 times, 5 times, 8 times and any level between higherthan the desired sensitivity level during the imaging session. In somealternative embodiments, the level of the luminance from the lightsource may be fixed or selected by the users when a specific level oflight exposure is desired. The sensitivity of the image sensor mayaccordingly be adjusted automatically.

The main module 302 of the hand-held eye imaging apparatus 300 maycomprise a computing and communication unit 331 and an image processingunit 332 in various embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3(C). With continuedreference to FIGS. 3A-3C, the images from the image sensor 320 may beprocessed by the image processing unit 332, and/or transmitted out ofthe eye imaging apparatus 300 by the computing and communication unit331 through wired or wireless communication systems. The computing andcommunication unit 331 may comprise a hand-held computing device 304,for example, a modified mobile computing device with a built-in datacommunication capability in various embodiments. In some embodiments,the modified mobile computing device 304 can be encapsulated within themain module 302 with the touch screen monitor 305 and various controlbuttons 306 exposed. The modified mobile computing device 304 may bemounted on top of the main module 302. The front imaging module 301 canbe mounted on an opposite side with the optical window 303 at thebottom. In some embodiments, the modified mobile computing device 304can be mounted at an inclined angle, allowing easier operation of themodified mobile computing device 304 by the user. In some alternativeembodiments, the modified mobile computing device 304 may also bemounted perpendicular to the optical axis of the front imaging module301. The modified mobile computing device 304 may further comprise atouch screen monitor 305. The touch screen monitor 305 may be configuredto display the images, including simple mono images and/or stereoscopic(3D) images. In addition, the touch screen monitor 305 may also have atouch screen control feature to enable the user to interact with themonitor 305. The control buttons 306 and 307 may be operational througha mechanical relay. The control buttons 306 and 307 can be configured torespond to certain motions of the fingers of the user. The mechanicalrelay may comprise a mechanical structure that translates a motion ofthe user into a motion that one of the electrical switches on thecomputing device 304 is configured to respond to. For example, themodified mobile computing device 304 may comprise an electrical switchthat is configured to respond to a pushing motion, e.g., a force appliedinwardly relative to the device 304. When a user slides a button 307,the mechanical relay may translate the sliding motion of the users intoan inward pushing motion on the switch. As a result, the electricalswitch of the computing device 304 can respond to the sliding motion ofthe button 307.

The main module 302 can be configured to receive the images from one ormore imaging sensors 320 in real time sequentially and/orsimultaneously. The main module 302 can be configured to display thelive images on the touch screen monitor 305. The image sensor 320 andthe image capturing features may be controlled through the functions ofthe modified mobile computing device 304 on the touch screen monitor305, by the control buttons 306 exposed on the modified mobile computingdevice 304, and/or by voice command functions of the mobile computingdevice 304. The main module 302 can also be configured to exchange dataand communicate with other electronics devices through wired or wirelesscommunication systems, such as WiFi or 3G standard telecommunicationprotocols.

As explained above, the eye imaging apparatus 300 can comprise themodified mobile computing device 304 in various embodiments. Forexample, the hand-held computing device 300 may comprise a modifiedversion of a smart phone in some embodiments. The eye imaging apparatusmay utilize the built-in high speed wireless data communicationcapability and the high computing power of a smart phone. However, atypical smart phone may be primarily configured to communicate audiosignals with limited input/output communication ports. For example, thesmart phone may only have a few in/out communication ports such as aninput port for charging power, an output port for a speaker phone, and afew control buttons such as volume adjustment buttons. Conventionalsmart phones may not be capable of controlling a complex devicepositioned outside the phone.

The eye imaging apparatus 300 may comprise an adaptation module 309 invarious embodiments. FIG. 3(C) schematically illustrates a block diagramof the eye imaging apparatus 300 comprising the adaptation module 309. Aconventional smart phone may be modified and reconfigured to control theimage capturing process and transmit the captured images through theadaptation module 309. The adaptation module 309 may be added andconnected to the modified mobile computing device 304 (e.g., themodified smart phone) to further expand the control capability andflexibility of the modified smart phone. The adaptation module 309 canbe configured to adapt the modified mobile computing device 304 tocontrol the operation of the light source 323 and the image capturingfeatures of the image sensor 320, which may be positioned outside themodified mobile computing device 304. The adaptation module 309 mayfurther be configured to adapt the modified mobile computing device 304to control the actuator of the focusing lens or lenses 321 in front ofthe image sensor 320 to adjust the effective focal length and/or themagnification of the eye imaging apparatus 300. The data from the imagesensor 320, the light source 323 and/or the actuator of focusing lens orlenses 321 may be input into the modified mobile computing device 304through the adaptation module 309.

The adaptation module 309 may comprise a microcontroller 339 and asignal processing unit 360. The microcontroller 339 may comprise acentral processing unit, a memory and a plurality of communicationinput/output ports in various embodiments. The central processing unitmay range from 16-bit to 64-bit in some embodiments. The microcontroller339 may further comprise any suitable type of memory device, such asROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, etc. The microcontroller 339 maycomprise analog-to-digital converters and/or digital-to-analogconverters in various embodiments. The microcontroller 339 may compriseinput/output ports such as I²C, Serial SCCB, MIPI and RS-232. In someembodiments, USB or Ethernet ports may also be used. The microcontroller339 may be connected to the light source 323, the image sensor 320, andthe actuator of the focusing lens or lenses 321 through the plurality ofcommunication input/output ports. The microcontroller 339 may comprise asignal processing unit 360. The signal processing unit 360 can includeinstructions to convert the signals from the image sensor 320, the lightsource 323, and the actuator of the focusing lens or lenses 321 to adata format that is recognizable by one of the input/outputcommunication ports of the modified mobile computing device 304. Thesignal processing unit 360 can also be configured to convert the signalsfrom the modified mobile computing device 304 to a data format that isrecognizable by the image sensor 320, the light source 323 and theactuator of the focusing lens or lenses 321. For example, the voiceinput/output port of the modified mobile computing device 304 may beused in some embodiments. The control signal from the image sensor 320may be read into the microcontroller 339 through an I²C port. The signalprocessing unit 360 in the microcontroller 339 can include a set ofinstructions to convert the control signal into a set of data encoded asan audio signal, and the microcontroller 339 can output the audio signalinto the voice input port of the mobile computing device 304. Themicrocontroller 339 can also include another set of instructions toconvert the audio signal from the voice output port of the modifiedmobile computing device 304 to a set of recognizable signals for theimage sensor 320. The conversion of different signals may employdifferent instructions with different conversion algorithms.

In some embodiments, the eye imaging apparatus 300 may further comprisean independent driver module 335 to drive the light source 323 when therequired electrical power of the light source 323 is substantiallyhigher than the power of a conventional light source of a smart phone.The driver module 335 may comprises an integrated multi-channelcurrent-source type driver chip in some embodiments. The driver chip maymodulate the light output or the brightness of the light source based onconfigurations of pulse-width-modulation. As a result, the independentdriver module 335 can be configured to drive a more powerful lightsource than the conventional light source in typical smart phones, Inaddition, as shown in FIG. 3(C), the driver module 335 can be configuredto drive multiple light sources 323 at the same time. The driver module335 may be powered by a battery in the modified mobile computing device304 or by a separate battery with larger capacity and larger current.The control of the light source 323, as well as the control of thedriver module 335, may be carried out by the modified mobile computingdevice 304 through the microcontroller 339 in the adaptation module 309.

Conventional smart phones often have a limited numbers of imagingsensors and light sources. To extend the ability of a smart phone tocontrol and drive multiple image sensors, light sources and focusinglenses, a multiplexing module 314 may be added in the main module toallow interaction between the modified mobile computing device 304 withmultiple image sensors 320 and light sources 323 through the adaptationmodule 309. The multiplexing module 314 may act like a digital switcher,and can expand the number of the image sensors 320 and the light sources323 to which the modified mobile computing device 304 may have access.Additionally, the control of the multiplexing module 314 may be realizedby the modified mobile computing device 304 directly. It should beappreciated that the multiplexing module 314 may not be used if, forexample, the modified mobile computing device 304 is built with amultiplexing capability to interface with multiple devices.

Advantageously, the eye imaging apparatus may be more cost effective byutilizing the build-in wireless high speed communication capability of aconventional smart phone. However, a hand-held computing device can alsobe provided without using a modified mobile computing device. Forexample, the hand-held computing device may comprise any suitablecomputing device comprising a microprocessor, a memory, a wirelesstransmitter and a wireless receiver that can be held or carried by theuser in various embodiments. For example, the computing device can becapable of supporting e-mail, web browsing, text messaging, etc., invarious embodiments. In some embodiments, however, the hand-heldcomputing device comprises a modified smart phone, tablet or other typeof hand-held computing device. The hand-held computing device maycomprise a modified conventional cell phone, though the modifiedconventional cell phone might provide less functionality than a modifiedsmart phone. In some embodiments, the hand-held computing device may notinclude the touch screen display.

Recharging the batteries used in the hand-held eye imaging apparatus 300shown in FIG. 3(A) to FIG. 3(C) may be performed through a standard USBport or other recharging port by a connection cable. However, in orderto keep the eye imaging apparatus hermetically sealed, the existence ofsuch an electric port may be problematic. One solution may be the use ofa power charging device without the use of the connection cable. Themain module 302 may further comprise a power receiver module 338disposed near a side surface of the main module 302. When the mainmodule 302 is placed next to the power charging mat or pad, thebatteries of the imaging apparatus 300 may be charged through theexchange of power from the power charging mat to the power receivermodule 338 without using the connection cable.

The main module 302 can provide a platform for integrating additionalfunctional modules and features into the eye imaging apparatus 300 shownin FIG. 3(A). When the front imaging module 301 is connected with themain module 302, an electrical connection may also be provided betweenthe two modules 301, 302 to power the electronic devices in the frontimaging module 301 and send electronic signals back to the main module302. In some embodiments, the front imaging module 301 may be replacedwith an ultrasound probe 341, which has a profile and size similar tothat of the front imaging module 301. The ultrasound probe 341 maycomprise an A-scan or B-scan type of probe to measure the size andstructure of the eye. Both types of probes may have an ultrasound wand(transducer) 343 with a concave external surface similar to that of theoptical window 303, which can be placed against the cornea or eyelidsduring the eye examination. A gel similar to that used with the opticalimaging applications may be used between the probe and the tissue. Theultrasound transducer 343 can generate high-frequency sound waves thattravel through the eye, and can also detect reflections (echoes) of thesound waves to form an image of the structure of the eye. Themeasurement from the A-Scan probe can provide structural informationabout the eye, and the measurement from the B-scan probe can providecross sectional, two-dimensional images of the inner eye. The data fromthe ultrasonic probe 341 may be preprocessed by electronics circuits 342positioned within the main module 302 before the data is sent to themodified mobile computing device 304 through the adaptation module 309.The result may be displayed on the touch screen monitor 305, or may betransferred to other computing or display devices.

It should be appreciated that the front imaging module 301 and the mainmodule 302 may not be formed in two separate units in some embodiments.The front imaging module 301 and the main module 302 may be built intoone piece with the front imaging module 301 permanently fixed with themain module 302 of the eye imaging apparatus 300.

FIG. 3(D) is a flow diagram of the hand-held eye imaging apparatus 300comprising a modified mobile computing device 304, according to variousembodiments. The eye imaging apparatus 300 may comprise an electronicsystem which is built around the modified mobile computing device 304,for example, a modified smart phone. An adaptation module 309 may beconnected to the modified mobile computing device 304 to expand thecommunication capability of a conventional smart phone. A multiplexingmodule 314 may also be provided to extend the ability of the modifiedmobile computing device 304 to control and drive the multiple imagesensors 320 and/or light sources 323 directly. The imaging sensor 320and the light source 323 may interface with the modified mobilecomputing device 304 through the adaptation module 309. The standarddata bus between the multiplexing module 314 and modified mobilecomputing device 304 may also include a serial or parallel port as wellas MIPI and DVP as long as a digital interface required for transmittingdigital images is provided. The data bus may also include theinterface/channels for controlling the actuator of the focusing lens orlenses 321. In some embodiments, a driver module 335 may also be used todrive more powerful light source 323. The modified mobile computingdevice 304 may control the light source 323 and the driver module 335through the input/output ports of the adaptation module 309. The liveimages captured by the imaging sensor 320 can be transmitted to themodified mobile computing device 304, e.g., in the form of RAW dataformat. The live images can be processed and calibrated to form astandard video stream, which may be displayed on the small touch screenmonitor 305 of the modified mobile computing device 304. The same videostream may be transmitted out of the device 304 in real time.

The eye imaging apparatus 300 may further comprise a primary controlbutton 350 interfaced with the adaptation module 309 in variousembodiments, as shown in FIG. 3(E) and FIG. 3(C). The primary controlbutton 350 may comprise a multi-functional and multi-directional buttondisposed on the housing of the apparatus 300. The primary control button350 can be configured to control the light source 323, the actuator offocusing lens or lenses 321 and the image sensor 320. In someembodiments, for example, the primary control button 350 can be disposedon the cylindrical portion 311 of the housing of the eye imagingapparatus 300, thus allowing easy operation of the user with only onehand. As shown in FIG. 3(E), the eye imaging apparatus 300 may be heldby the user using four fingers, while leaving the index finger (or otherfinger) free to operate the primary control button 350 in someembodiments. The introduction of the primary control button 350 canenable the operation of the imaging apparatus 300 with only one hand.The primary control button 350 can comprise electrical switches tocontrol the light source 323, the actuator of the focusing lens orlenses 321 and/or the image sensor 320. Therefore the primary controlbutton 350 can allow the user to control the focus, the light intensityand/or the image capturing process by using just one finger. Forexample, in some embodiments, the intensity level of the light source323 may be adjusted by pushing the primary control button 350 to theleft and/or right, and the actuator of the focusing lens or lenses 321may be adjusted by pushing the multi-functional control button 350 upand/or down. In other embodiments, the intensity level of the lightsource 323 may be adjusted by pushing the primary control button 350 upand/or down, and the actuator of the focusing lens or lenses 321 may beadjusted by pushing the multi-functional control button 350 left and/orright. In some embodiments, the primary control button 350 may also beused as a trigger for the image sensor 320 by pushing the primarycontrol button inwardly. Other variations of using the primary controlbutton 350 to control the eye imaging apparatus may also be suitable.

As seen from the FIG. 3(E), the housing of the imaging apparatus 300 mayfurther comprise a rubber ring 352 having a bump. The bump of the rubberring 352 may fit comfortably with the palm of the user, allowing theuser to hold the body of the imaging apparatus 300 in the palm tightly.The bump of the rubber ring 352 may be replaced easily. Several rings352 may be provided with different bump sizes to fit users who havelarge or small hands. The rubber grip ring 352 may be rotated along thecylindrical portion of the imaging apparatus, thus allowing acomfortable fitting with the palm of the user's hand. The rubber gripring 352 may fit with both left-handed and right-handed users. Therubber grip ring 352 may also comprise various shapes other than acompleted ring, e.g., such as a partial annulus.

The block diagram of the eye imaging apparatus 300 comprising theprimary control button 350 is schematically illustrated in FIG. 3(C).The primary control button 350 can be configured to control the lightsource 323, the actuator of the focusing lens or lenses 321 and/or theimage sensor 320 through the adaptation module 309 in variousembodiments. The microcontroller 339 in the adaptation module 309 canconvert the motion of the finger of the user on the primary controlbutton 350 into commands or signals recognized by the modified mobilecomputing device 304. Communication between the adaptation module 309and the modified mobile computing device 304 may be realized through thestandard input/output ports of the modified mobile computing device 304,which may be a modified smart phone. For example, a microphone port ofthe modified mobile computing device 304 may be used to provide suchcommunication. The adaptation module 309 may send a command comprising asignal (e.g., a five-digit signal) to the modified mobile computingdevice 304. To do so, the adaptation module 309 may send a series ofelectric pulses representing the five-digit signal, which can be encodedin the frequency of audio signals, to the microphone port of themodified mobile computing device 304. The modified mobile computingdevice 304 (e.g., modified smart phone) can receive the audio signals asif the audio signals are voice calls. However, the modified mobilecomputing device 304 can comprise another signal processing unitcomprising another set of instructions to convert and recognize thereceived audio signals, thereby recovering the command. In the otherdirection, a command from the mobile device smart phone may be encodedas audio signals and sent out to the speaker port. The adaptation modulecan receive and interpret the audio signals into commands, which can beused by the adaptation module 309 to control the light source 323, orthe actuator of the focusing lens or lenses 321, or the image sensor320. Though the microphone port and the speaker port of the modifiedmobile computing device 304 may be used in the communication to theadaptation module 309 in some embodiments, other standard input/outputports of the modified mobile computing device 304 may be used as well.The adaptation module 309 may comprise other signal processing units toconvert the various commands into signals recognizable by otherinput/output ports.

The various embodiments of the hand-held eye imaging apparatus 300 alsoinclude a method for imaging an eye. The method comprises illuminatingan eye by using a light source 323, thereby forming an image of the eyethrough an optical window and an imaging lens. The method can alsoinclude receiving the image by using an image sensor 320, controllingthe light source 323 and the image sensor 320 by using a modified mobilecomputing device 304, for example, a modified smart phone, and receivingand transmitting the image by using the modified mobile computing device304. The image may be an image of the posterior segment of the eye, oran anterior segment of the eye. The method may also comprise controllingan actuator of the focusing lens or lenses 321 to adjust the focallength and the magnification by using the modified mobile computingdevice 304. In addition, the method may further comprise displaying theimage on a touch screen monitor 305 of the modified mobile computingdevice 304.

The hand-held eye imaging apparatus 300 may be used to image theposterior segment of the eye and/or the anterior segment of the eye. Theeye imaging apparatus 300 may image the anterior segment of the eyethrough the front imaging module 301 when the proper adjustment of focusis made. However, the images of the anterior segment of the eye acquiredby the front imaging module 301 may exhibit a large field of curvature.In addition, in order for the posterior segment imaging and anteriorsegment imaging to share part of the same optical system, the imagequality of the posterior segment and/or the anterior segment may becompromised. However, to achieve high image quality and utilize specialillumination for the anterior segment of the eye, the eye imagingapparatus 300 may further comprise an exterior imaging module that isconfigured to photograph the anterior segment of the eye. The hand-heldeye imaging apparatus 300 may further provide stereoscopic (3D) colorimaging capability for the anterior segment of the eye. The capturedimages may be viewed in stereoscopic (3D) fashion when using a properthree-dimensional display device.

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates an exterior imaging module 460 disposedon an exterior portion of housing of an eye imaging apparatus 400,according to various embodiments. For example, the eye imaging apparatus400 may comprise a front imaging module 401, an exterior imaging module460, a main module 402, a front optical window 403 and a hand-heldcomputing device 404 in some embodiments. The exterior imaging module460 may be disposed, for example, on an outer side surface of the cuboidportion 412 (which may have rounded edges in various embodiments) of thehousing in some embodiments. The exterior imaging module 460 maycomprise two lighting units 405, 406 and one miniature camera 407between the two lighting units 405, 406. The lighting units 405, 406 maycomprise a light source and possibly the light conditioning optics infront of the light source. The light source may comprise a lightemitting element. The light emitting element may comprise a solid statelight emitter such as a light emitting diode and/or any other elementthat is capable of emitting light. The light emitting element may becompact, highly efficient and driven by low voltage. In somearrangements, the lighting units 405, 406 may be disposed at anapproximately equal distance from the miniature camera 407. The lightingunits 405, 406 may emit light with a narrowband spectrum, such as with abandwidth less than about 100 nm, and at wavelengths in the visible,ultraviolet and/or infrared spectrum. The lighting units 405, 406 mayalso emit light in a broadband spectrum, such as white light in thevisible spectrum from about 450 nm to about 700 nm. The miniature camera407 may comprise an image sensor and at least one focusing lens in frontof the image sensor. The image sensor may comprise a miniature imagesensor with a format no more than about 1/2.2 inches or no more thanabout 1/3.2 inches. The focusing lens or lenses may comprise miniaturelens or lenses with a diameter less than about 10 mm, less than about5.0 mm, or less than about 2 mm. The miniature camera 407, which cancomprise the image sensor and the focusing lens or lenses, can have alength×width between 10 mm×10 mm and 5 mm×5 mm, or smaller in somearrangements. In some embodiments, the image sensor may have an activearea that is between about 8 mm and 4 mm×6 mm and 3 mm or between about7 mm and 5 mm×5 mm and 4 mm. The miniature camera 407 may work in thevisible light spectrum or invisible light spectrum, or both visible andinvisible spectra at same time. The exterior imaging module 460 maycomprise only one lighting unit in some other embodiments.

The exterior imaging module 460 may further comprise two additionallighting units 408, 409. The two lighting units 408, 409 may be disposednear the miniature camera 407, and the lighting units 408, 409 may havedifferent purposes. The two lights units 408 and 409 may be used toprovide special illumination for imaging the anterior segment of the eyewhich will be discussed below. The lighting unit 408 may comprise asolid state light emitting element that emits light in the broadbandspectrum, e.g., white light, which is visible to the human eye. Thelight emitted from the lighting unit 409 may be in narrowband orbroadband spectrum, in visible or invisible spectrum to human eyes. Thelight from the lighting units 405, 406, 408 and/or 409 may be activatedat the same time, in different combinations or individually.

The miniature camera 407 may comprise a set of focusing lenses with thefocusing adjustment capability to allow high quality imaging atdifferent working distances. The set of focusing lenses may comprise atleast one focusing lens. The focusing lens or lenses may also have theoptical zooming capability to allow the users to change themagnification of the captured images for the desired object at a fixeddistance. Actuators such as voice coils, stepper motors or other typesof actuators may be used to longitudinally translate one or more or allof the focusing lenses to change the effective focal length(s) and/orprovide zoom. In various embodiments, the set of focusing lenses can beconfigured to be moved or adjusted, for example, longitudinally alongthe optical axis of the exterior imaging system to adjust the positionof the entire set of focusing lenses to change the effective focallength of the exterior imaging system, thus changing the focus of theeye imaging apparatus for the anterior segment imaging. In variousembodiments, one or more of the focusing lenses can be configured to bemoved or adjusted, for example, longitudinally along the optical axis ofthe exterior imaging system with respect to one or more of the otherfocusing lenses, to change the effective optical focal length of the setof focusing lenses, which can change the magnification of the exteriorimaging and can results in an optical zoom for the anterior segmentimages.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a special illumination configuration ofan exterior imaging module 560 in various embodiments. The lightingunits 505, 506, 508, 509 may be the same as or similar to the lightingunits 405, 406, 408, 409 shown in FIG. 4, respectively. The miniaturecamera 507 may be the same as or similar to the miniature camera 407 ofFIG. 4. The miniature camera 507 can comprise an image sensor 520 and aset of focusing lenses 522. The set of focusing lenses 522 can compriseat least one focusing lens. The lighting units 505 and 506 can comprisethe light sources and the light conditioning optics, and can beconfigured to project diverging light beams. The divergent angles of thelighting units 505, 506 may be wide enough to cover the objects seen bythe imaging sensor 520 in the full field of the view. The image sensor520 can be substantially centered and can be positioned between thelighting unit 505 and the lighting unit 506. The optical axes of thelighting units 505 and 506 can converge at an optical axis of theminiature camera 507. In FIG. 5, the eye 501 can also be positioned atthe convergent point of the light beams from the lighting units 505 and506. The convergent point of the light from the lighting units 505 and506 can be positioned at a distance between about 40 mm and about 200 mmfrom the image sensor 507. The eye can be imaged at or near the centerof the pictures 502 and 503 which are acquired by the miniature camera507. The intensity or brightness of the light from the lighting unit 505and 506 can be adjustable, e.g., manually or automatically. Two brightspots 510 and 511 may be seen in the picture 502 from the specularreflection of light off the cornea, which may originate from thelighting units 505 and 506, respectively. The optical illuminationconfiguration illustrated in FIG. 5 may produce a uniform illuminationof the eye 501 when both lighting unit 505 and 506 are turned on, andmay produce high contrast images when only one lighting unit is turnedon. The contrast of the images may be adjusted by the ratio of the lightintensities from two lighting units 505 and 506. The default setting maycause identical brightness for the lighting units 505 and 506, while thebrightness can be adjustable for both units 505, 506.

The miniature camera 507 may further comprise a focusing sensor whichcan detect the focus status within a specific area, which is the area ofa focusing zone indicated to the users within the live image window. Forexample, in a picture 502, a small color block 512 indicates the area ofthe focusing zone. The users may select or change the area of focusingzone 512 by tapping the desired area in the window of live images shownin the touch screen monitor of the mobile computing device. The changein the color of the block 512 may indicate if the object is in focus ornot. In various embodiments, the miniature camera 507 can have twoworking modes for focusing: manual and autofocus. If the autofocus modeis chosen, the miniature camera 507, through its focus sensor andfocusing lens or lenses, may automatically focus on the area of theobject indicated by the area of the focusing zone. In some embodiments,the actuator of the focusing lenses 522 may move one or more of thefocusing lenses 522 longitudinally along the optical axis of theminiature camera 507 with respect to one or more other of the focusinglenses 522 to change the sharpness of the optical image, according tothe feedback signals from the focusing sensor. The focusing sensor maycomprise a special chip and/or instructions disposed within the imagingsensor 520. The special chip and/or instructions may be based on themeasurement of image sharpness of the live images. In some otherembodiments, the focusing sensor may comprise a number of special pixelsin the image sensor 520 that may detect the focus of the optical imagesin real time. Because the display or monitor used in the imagingapparatus for previewing of live images often has low displayresolution, the status of precise focus may be determined by thefocusing sensor and not by the sharpness of the live images on thedisplay. The resulting focusing status can be indicated in the frame oflive images with a symbol, for example, the color of the focus area 512or an audible sound. If the manual focus mode is selected, it can beused to photograph an object at a predetermined focusing distance. Insome embodiments, the relative position of the set of focusing lenses522 of the miniature camera 507 can be calibrated to provide apredetermined (fixed) focusing distance for the miniature camera. Toachieve the best focus during the imaging session, the user may thenmove the miniature camera 507 (by holding the eye imaging apparatus)back and forth while using the focus sensor indicator 512 as guidance.If the focal length of the focusing lenses 522 is also fixed, or afocusing lens 522 with fixed focal length is used, then the opticalmagnification of the imaging system may also be fixed in such anarrangement. With the help of the focusing sensor, the focusing lenses522 with a fixed working distance and/or with a fixed optical focallength may enable the user to capture images with a fixed magnification,which can be important if the geometrical measurement is to be takenlater from the captured images.

As shown in FIG. 5, the lighting units 508 may be used to providespecial illumination for the anterior segment of the eye. The lightingunit 508 can be positioned near the image sensor 520 at a distance lessthan the size of the image sensor 520, or as close as physicallypossible to the miniature camera 507. The special optics may be used infront of the lighting unit 508 to generate a focused light beam. Thebeam waist (the narrowest part of the beam or focus of the beam) may bepositioned at a predetermined distance between about 40 mm and about 200mm from the miniature camera 507. For example, when a human eye 501 ispositioned at the predetermined distance, the light from the lightingunit 508 may be focused near the same location, but slightly away fromthe optical axis of the miniature camera 507, e.g., by a distance fromthe optical axis less than about 5 mm. The picture 503 can present aseparate view seen from the miniature camera 507 when the eye isphotographed. The circle 513 in the center of the picture 503 canindicate the opening of the iris from the eye. The light beam from thelighting unit 508 can be focused and projected into the eye from theedge of the opening of the iris, which is indicated by spot 514 in thepicture 503. The configuration of FIG. 5 can provide a special lightingcondition called retroillumination. The retroillumination condition mayallow users to observe eye diseases including a cataract in the eye.

The lighting unit 509 may also be used to provide another specialillumination for imaging the anterior segment of the eye. The lightingunit 509 can be positioned near the image sensor, e.g., by a distanceless than the size of the image sensor, or as close as physicallypossible to the camera 507. The light from the lighting unit 509 mayform a divergent beam, and an optical axis of the lighting unit can bealmost parallel with the optical axis of the miniature camera 507. Thedivergence of the light beam can ensure that the object within the fieldof view of the miniature camera 507 is well illuminated at the workingdistance. Using the close proximity between the light source 509 and theminiature camera 507, such an illumination configuration can allow theuser to examine objects in narrow spaces or in closed cavities. When aneye is imaged at a close distance with illumination from the lightingunit 509, a “shadowless” image can be created as shown in the picture503. The bright spot 515 represents the specular reflection from thecornea which is originated from the lighting unit 509. The illuminationcondition created by the lighting unit 509 may also be used as thesupplementary “background” illumination for photographing a cataract inthe eye under the retroillumination. For example, the focus indicationarea 516 in the picture 503 may be used to focus precisely onto thecataract seen in the crystalline lens. In some embodiments, the lightingunit 509 may comprise a light source, for example, a light emittingelement, with wavelength in the visible (about 450 nm to about 700 nm)or invisible (near infrared IR, e.g., about 680 nm to about 850 nm)spectrum, or light emitting elements with visible and invisiblewavelengths. In some other embodiments, the lighting unit 509 maycomprise two light emitting elements, one with wavelength in visiblespectrum and the other in near infrared spectrum. The two light emittingelements may be activated separately or simultaneously. When the patientis positioned at a distance longer than about 200 mm from the miniaturecamera 507, the facial image of the patient under the illumination fromthe lighting unit 509 may be used to diagnose a medical condition knownas amblyopia. Here, the light from the lighting unit 509 may enter theeye of the patient and produce a diffused reflection of light from theretina area. When such light returns through the irises of the patient,it is often seen as a “red eye” in the facial image. If the reflectionsof light from two eyes are not symmetric as it appears in the openingsof the irises, it may indicate possible eye problems such as amblyopia.Additional potential applications for such special illumination mayinclude photographing cavities in the ear, mouth, and nose of patients.In other embodiments, the eye imaging apparatus may comprise theexterior imaging module comprising only the lighting unit 508, or onlythe lighting unit 509.

The various embodiments of the exterior imaging module 560 shown in FIG.5 may use only a single miniature camera 507. FIGS. 6(A) and 6(B)schematically illustrate an eye imaging apparatus 600 comprising asecond miniature camera 610 b with a second image sensor 620 b inaddition to a first miniature camera 607 b with a first image sensor 627b in order to take stereoscopic images, according to some embodiments.The stereoscopic images can have the advantage of displaying depthinformation, and may be better in visualizing the transparent medium,such as the cornea. As shown in FIG. 6(A), lighting units 605 a, 606 a,608 a, 609 a may function in the same way as the lighting units 405,406, 408, 409 shown in FIG. 4. Meanwhile, the miniature camera 607 a maycomprise substantially the same optics and may perform the same tasks asthe miniature camera 407 shown in FIG. 4. A second miniature camera 610a can be added near the miniature camera 607 a, which can be operated insynchronization with the miniature camera 607 a. In other words, theshutters for both miniature cameras 607 a and 610 a may be opened andclosed at substantially same time. Together, the miniature cameras 607 aand 610 a may generate pictures resembling the images formed in the twoeyes of a human being when they are focused at the same object.

FIG. 6(B) schematically illustrates the illumination for the sameexterior imaging module shown in FIG. 6(A), in which the lighting unit605 b, the lighting unit 606 b, the miniature camera 607 b and theminiature camera 610 b are the same as the lighting unit 605 a, thelighting unit 606 a, the miniature camera 607 a and the miniature camera610 a, respectively. A photographed object 601 b, e.g., an eye, islocated near the convergent point of light beams from unit 605 b and 606b, as well as at the convergent point of the optical axes of the twominiature cameras 607 b and 610 b. The convergent angle 604 b, formed bythe optical axes of the two miniature cameras 607 b and 610 b, may beeither fixed or adjustable. In some embodiments in which the convergentangle 604 b is fixed, the distance between the object 601 b and theimaging apparatus 600 may be chosen based on the size of the object inpictures 602 b and 603 b, as well as the distance between two miniaturecameras 610 b and 607 b. Depending on the viewing conditions of thestereoscopic display system, the convergent angle 604 b typically may bebetween about 5 degrees to about 13 degrees. The image 611 b from theminiature camera 607 b and the image 612 b from the miniature camera 610b may be combined and superimposed in one display 603 b. Because bothminiature cameras 607 b and 610 b are focused at the convergent point oftheir optical axes, if the object (e.g., the eye), is not located at theconvergent point, the images 611 b and 612 b captured by the miniaturecameras 610 b and 607 b, respectively, will not overlap each other, asshown in picture 603 b. In order to produce stereoscopic images withproper focus and stereopsis, the user may move the imaging apparatus 600back and forth in order to cause the two images 611 b, 612 b to overlap,as shown in the picture 602 b. In the picture 602 b, the two brightspots 613 b and 614 b represent the specular reflections of light beamsfrom the lighting unit 606 b and 605 b as reflected by the cornea ofpatient 601 b. When the convergent angle 604 b is fixed, the workingdistance at which the two images captured from the miniature cameras 607b and 610 b are fully overlapped is also predetermined and fixed.Therefore, the use of dual cameras 607 b, 610 b may not only generatethe stereoscopic images for review, but also may provide a precisemethod to set a constant working distance from the photographed object601 b to the miniature cameras 610 b and 607 b. Additionally, the imagestaken at the constant working distance may also have the same opticalmagnification, if the focal length of the focusing lenses in front ofminiature cameras 610 b and 607 b are the same. Such fixed magnificationcan be important for many medical applications, because the geometricalmeasurement may be taken later from the captured images. Further,topographic profiles of the photographed objects may be calculated fromthe stereoscopic image pairs. Although the focus of the miniature camera607 b and the miniature camera 610 b may be pre-fixed at the convergentpoint of the optical axes of the miniature camera 607 b and theminiature camera 610 b, the miniature cameras 607 b, 610 b may also beset into auto focus mode during such operation, and the focus can beadjustable.

FIG. 6(B) further schematically illustrates various embodiments of thehand-held stereoscopic eye imaging apparatus 600. In some embodiments,the miniature camera 610 b can be tilted at a convergent angle 604 bfrom the optical axis of miniature camera 607 b. In some otherembodiments, the miniature camera 610 b can be disposed parallel withthe miniature camera 607 b. Then a small optical component 615 b, forexample, an optical wedge, can be disposed in front of the miniaturecamera 610 b to bend the optical axis of the miniature camera 610 b tosatisfy the required convergent angle 604 b. The angle of bending may beadjusted by the optical component 615 b if necessary.

Because the lighting unit 608 a and 609 a can be constructed in the samefashion as the lighting unit 508 and 509, the miniature camera 607 aalone may perform all of the tasks that the miniature camera 507performs under the illumination conditions discussed above, including,e.g., the retroillumination and the background illumination. The imagesmay be mono or nonstereoscopic. However, when the image from theminiature camera 610 a is added, the stereoscopic image pairs can begenerated, providing depth information to the user.

The exact locations of the lighting unit 608 a, the lighting unit 609 aand the miniature camera 610 a may not be the same as that shown in FIG.6(A). For example, the miniature camera 610 a may be positioned at theright hand side of the miniature camera 607 a and may still functionwell. The positions and patterns of the lighting unit 608 a, thelighting unit 609 a and the miniature camera 610 a may be arranged inother configurations as well. Any suitable configuration of the lightingunit 608 a, the lighting unit 609 a, the lighting unit 605 a, thelighting unit 606 a, the miniature camera 607 a and the miniature camera610 a may be used.

FIG. 7(A) schematically illustrates some other embodiments of astereoscopic exterior imaging module 760, which may perform the same orsimilar functions as the embodiment shown in FIG. 6(A). The lightingunit 705 a, 706 a, 708 a and 709 a may be the same as or similar to thelighting unit 605 a, 606 a, 608 a and 609 a, and may work in the samefashion. The stereoscopic miniature camera pair 710 a and 711 a can besynchronized and can work the same as or similar to the miniature camerapair 607 a and 610 a in order to generate the stereoscopic image pairs.However, the configuration of the stereoscopic miniature camera module760 shown in FIG. 7(A) is different. In FIG. 7(A), the lighting unit 708a and 709 a can be disposed on the same side of the miniature cameras710 a and 711 a, while in FIG. 6(A), the lighting unit 608 a and 609 aare illustrating as being disposed on opposite sides of the miniaturecamera 607 a and 610 a. In FIG. 7(A), the miniature camera 710 a and 711a may be disposed symmetrically about the optical axis of the eye. Bycontrast, in FIG. 6(A), the miniature camera 607 a may be disposed alongthe optical axis of the eye, and the miniature care 610 a may bedisposed at a distance to the optical axis of the eye. The locations ofthe lighting unit 705 a, 706 a, 708 a and 709 a and the miniature camera710 a and 711 a may have other variations as well. For example, thelighting unit 708 a and 709 a may be disposed below the miniaturecameras 710 a and 711 a instead of above the miniature cameras 710 a and711 a.

As shown in FIG. 7(B), in some embodiments, special optics 712 b may beplaced in front of the miniature camera 710 b and 711 b, which may bethe same as or similar to miniature cameras as 610 a and 611 a shown inFIG. 6(A). The lighting units 705 b, 706 b and 708 b may be the same asor similar to the lighting units 705 a, 706 a and 708 a. The exteriorimaging module can comprise the miniature cameras 710 b and 711 b, whichcan be disposed with their optical axes in parallel but can separated bya distance from the special optics 712 b. The special optics 712 b maycause the bending of optical axes of the miniature cameras 710 b and 711b symmetrically to form a convergent angle 704 b. The special optics 712b may be in the form of spherical-plano lens or double wedge prism. Theoptical bending power of the special optics 712 b may be either fixed oradjustable, resulting in a fixed or an adjustable convergent angle 704b. FIG. 7(B) further schematically illustrates some other embodiments ofthe stereoscopic exterior imaging module 760 with the fixed convergentangle 704 b. The convergent angle 704 b can be formed by tilting theoptical axes of the miniature camera 713 b and the miniature camera 714b.

FIG. 8(A) schematically illustrates more embodiments for thestereoscopic exterior imaging module 860. The exterior imaging module860 formed by the lighting unit 805 a, 806 a, 808 a, 809 a and theminiature camera 810 a and 811 a can behave the same or similar to theexterior imaging module with the lighting unit 705 a, 706 a, 708 a, 709a and the miniature camera 710 a and 711 a shown in FIG. 7(A). However,the locations of the lighting units shown in FIG. 8 may be differentfrom the lighting units illustrated in FIG. 7(A). In FIG. 8(A), twolighting elements can be used for the lighting unit 808 a to increasethe luminance on the object. In some other embodiments in FIG. 8(B), onestereoscopic imaging module 860, comprising the lighting unit 805 b, 806b, 809 b and the miniature camera 810 b, 811 b, can be combined with amono imaging module 870, comprising the lighting unit 808 b, 809 b andthe miniature camera 807 b. The lighting unit 809 b may be used in thestereoscopic imaging module 860 and the mono imaging module 870. Thelighting unit 808 b can produce a focused light beam for theretroillumination application. Under the illumination of the divergentlight beam from the lighting unit 809 b, the mono camera 807 b may beused in imaging applications where stereoscopic images are not desired.The emitted light from the lighting unit 808 b may be visible orinvisible to human eyes. The miniature camera 807 b may also be operatedin manual focus or auto-focus mode. The stereoscopic imaging modules 860shown in FIG. 8(A) and FIG. 8(B), comprising the miniature camera 810 a,811 a and 810 b, 811 b, may be constructed from the optical designsimilar to that described above for the miniature camera 710 b and 711b, or 713 b and 714 b in FIG. 7(B).

Various embodiments of the eye imaging apparatus including an exteriorimaging module include a method of imaging an anterior segment of aneye. The method of imaging an anterior segment of an eye can compriseilluminating an anterior segment of an eye by a first lighting unitcomprising a first light source and a second lighting unit comprising asecond light source. The method can include receiving an image of theanterior segment of the eye by using an image sensor. The optical axesof the first and the second light sources can converge at the anteriorsegment of the eye. The image sensor can be positioned between the firstlight source and the second light source. The method further comprisescontrolling the first light source, the second light source and theimage sensor by using a hand-held mobile computing device. Moreover, themethod can comprise receiving and transmitting the image by using themobile computing device. In some embodiments, the method of imaging theanterior segment can comprise illuminating the eye by using a lightingunit comprising a light source near the image sensor. The lighting unitcan be configured to generate a focused light beam. The method furthercan comprise directing the focused light beam to position a beam waistat an edge of an opening of an iris of the eye to provideretroillumination, and using a hand-held computing device to control thelight source and the image sensor in addition to receiving andtransmitting the image. In some embodiments, the method of imaging ananterior segment of an eye can comprise illuminating the eye by using alight source with a divergent light beam dispersed closely near theimage sensor, and directing the light source with its optical axisalmost in parallel with the image sensor to provide backgroundillumination. The method can further comprise controlling the lightsource, receiving and transmitting the image by using the hand-heldcomputing device. In some embodiments, the method of imaging an anteriorsegment of an eye can further comprise receiving a second image of theanterior segment of the eye by using a second image sensor, andcontrolling the second image sensor by using the hand-held mobilecomputing device. A first optical axis of the first image sensor and asecond optical axis of the second image sensor can form a convergentangle to generate a stereoscopic image.

The hand-held eye imaging apparatus may comprise the front imagingmodule only, or both the front imaging module and the exterior imagingmodules, or a portion of the exterior imaging modules. The hand-held eyeimaging apparatus may also comprise only the exterior imaging module invarious embodiments. The eye imaging apparatus may be capable of imagingboth the posterior segment of the eye (for example, the retina), and theanterior segment of the eye (for example, the cornea). The eye imagingapparatus may be used as a hand-held imaging apparatus to perform eyedisease screen including, e.g., retina diseases and/or cornea diseases.

FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a disposable package 901 for thehand-held eye imaging apparatus 900, according to some embodiments.Because the optical window of the front imaging module may be in contactwith the patient's cornea in various embodiments, the optical window andnearby areas should be disinfected before and after each imagingsession, often with rubbing alcohol. A small amount of optically cleargel can also be applied to the cornea of the patient's eye and theoptical window prior to each imaging session. The disposable package 901of the hand-held eye imaging apparatus may comprise sufficient indexmatching gel inside a small hollow tube 903 and two patches 902 and 906,e.g., patches 902, 906 filled with alcohol. As the content of package901 may be used for one imaging session only, the package 901 can besterilized during the manufacturing process and can be kept sterilized.Before being used, one side of the package 901 may be cut or torn open,allowing one of the two alcohol patches 902 to be ejected from thepackage 901 along with the small hollow tube 903. The alcohol patch 902may be used to disinfect the optical window and the front end of thehousing of the eye imaging apparatus before each imaging session. Thetube 903 may comprise plastic or other materials. The tube 903 may bebent behind the alcohol patch 902 during the manufacturing process andstored inside the package. When part of package is cut open, the tube903 may be released like a spring and ejected out of the package. Asshown in the FIG. 9, one end of the tube 903 may comprise an end cap 904while the other end may be sealed (glued) into a flexible but sealedcontainer (bottle) 905 that stores the index matching gel therein. Caremay be taken to ensure that the container 905 and the tube 903 arefilled with the index matching gel sufficiently full, and that there areno air bubbles in the gel. After the end cap 904 is cut off, the gel maybe squeezed out from the end of the tube 903 by compressing on the topof the container 905. After the imaging session is finished, anotherside of the disposable package may be cut or torn off to expose thesecond alcohol patch 906. Both alcohol patches 902, 906 and the package901 may be disposed after a single use.

FIG. 10 schematically illustrates other embodiments of a disposablepackage 1001 of the eye imaging apparatus. The container for the indexmatching gel 1005 can be disposed at one end of the package 1001,instead of in the middle of the package 901 shown in FIG. 9 above. Aportion of the flexible tube 1003 can be bent and disposed between thetwo alcohol patches 1002, 1006 in the package 1001 during manufacturing.When one side of the package 1001 is cut or torn off, the release of thebent flexible tube 1003 can push the first alcohol patch 1002 out of thepackage 1001. When the end cap 1004 is cut off, the index matching gelmay be release by squeezing the container 1005. The second alcohol patch1006 may be pushed out from the package 1001, or can be exposed when anadditional cut or tear is made.

The optical window and surrounding area may not only be disinfected bythe alcohol before and after each imaging session, but also may besoaked into a bleach-based chemicals solution regularly for morethorough treatment. A disposable package 1100 of single use for suchdisinfection treatment is shown in FIG. 11, which may be usedconveniently and directly onto the eye imaging apparatus 1105. Thedisposable kit may comprise a cup 1101, disinfectant 1103 and sanitationpatch 1104 (e.g., an alcohol patch), which can be sterilized and wrappedinto a compact package and ready to be used at the site. The cup 1101may comprise plastic or other light weighted and flexible materials, andthe size of the cup 1101 may be configured to match the profile of theeye imaging apparatus 1105. The rim of the cup 1102 may comprise arubber like material and can act like a rubber band when the cup 1101 isfit onto the eye imaging apparatus 1105. The disinfectant 1103 may bestored in a sealed package and released to the cup 1101 after the sealof the package is cut or torn off. When the cup 1101 is disposed underthe optical window of the eye imaging apparatus 1105, the optical windowmay be submerged under the disinfectant. The tightened rim of the cup1102 may form a seal around the front portion of the housing of the eyeimaging apparatus 1105, and prevent the liquid from accidentallyspilling. After the disinfection process is finished, the alcohol patch1104 may be taken out of its sealed package and used to clean up thechemical residue on the surface of apparatus 1105. In some embodiments,the package of the sealed disinfectant 1103 and the alcohol patch 1104can be placed under the bottom of the cup 1101 in the manufacturingprocess. It may help to save packaging space when multiple of suchdisposable kits are stacked up in a larger shipping box. However, thepackages for the disinfectant 1103 and alcohol patch 1104 may also beplaced inside the cup and/or against the bottom of the cup.

FIG. 12 schematically illustrates a networking eye imaging system 1200comprising a hand-held eye imaging apparatus 1201, similar to theapparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1. The hand-held eye imaging apparatus 1201may be used in an eye imaging system. In the eye imaging system 1200,the images of the eye of the patient and related patient information canbe captured and/or received by the hand-held eye imaging apparatus 1201and can be input into an image computing module 1202 stored in an imagestorage module 1203. The images and/or other patient information can beshared and/or reviewed through an image review module 1204 by differentmedical professionals at the same or different locations. In variousembodiments, the eye imaging system 1200 can comprise the hand-held eyeimaging apparatus 1201, the image computing module 1202, the imagestorage module 1203 and the separate image review module 1204. Thehand-held eye imaging apparatus 1201, the image computing module 1202,the image storage module 1203 and the image review module 1204 may havetheir own power supply/batteries, although the batteries for the eyeimaging apparatus 1201, the image computing module 1202, the imagestorage module 1203 and the image review module 1204 may be chargedautomatically when the eye imaging apparatus and different image modulesare connected to each other. For example, the battery in the eye imagingapparatus 1201 may be automatically recharged by the larger battery inthe imaging module 1202 when the eye imaging apparatus 1201 is placedinside a carrying case 1205 and/or connected to the imaging module 1202through an interconnect, such as a USB cable. The recharging process maybe stopped when the battery reaches the full capacity of the battery.

The eye imaging apparatus 1201 may be carried by the user in a smallcarrying case 1205 with a handle because the apparatus 1201 isrelatively compact and easy for the user to carry. For example, in someembodiments, a carrying case can have dimensions less than about 600mm×400 mm×300 mm and can weigh less than about 15 kg. In someembodiments, for example, the carrying case (with or without thehandheld device inside) can be between (600 mm and 300 mm)×(400 mm and200 mm)×(300 and 150 mm). Also, the carrying case 1205 can weigh betweenabout 10 kg and about 15 kg in some arrangements, or between about 5 kgand about 15 kg, in some embodiments. Sizes outside these ranges for theeye imaging system 1200 and the carrying case 1205 are also possible.

The hand-held eye imaging apparatus 1201 and the image computing module1202 may be stored in the carrying case 1205 and carried away by theuser. The carrying case 1205 may comprise a power supply, which may beconnected with the external power source, an extra battery 1206 and thedisposable package discussed above. The extra battery 1206 may be placedunder the bottom of the case 1205. The extra battery 1206 can be used tocharge the batteries in the hand-held eye imaging apparatus 1201 and theimage computing module 1202 when they are stored in or connected withthe case 1205. The eye imaging apparatus 1201 can be configured tooperate for a long period of time without accessing an external powersource by charging through the extra battery 1206, which may have alager capacity.

The hand-held eye imaging apparatus 1201 may temporarily store thecaptured images in a memory in the eye imaging apparatus 1201. Thecaptured images may also be immediately transferred to the imagecomputing module 1202, e.g., by wired or wireless communication system.The wireless transmission can comprise any suitable wireless protocol,such as WiFi, Bluetooth, etc. The transmission of images from the eyeimaging apparatus 1201 to the image computing module 1202 may be in theform of still images and/or live video images, with or without using thereal time image compression process. When the live video is transmitted,the live images captured by the eye imaging apparatus 1201 may be viewedon the display monitor of the image computing module 1202 in real-time.The live images from the eye imaging apparatus 1201 may also be viewedon one or more external display monitors of a larger size, such asmonitors 1207 and 1208, which receive the video signal from the imagecomputing module 1202. The images from the eye imaging apparatus 1201may further be processed in the image computing module 1202 to improvethe image quality. Then the images may be displayed and/or recorded,together with other related information of the patient, in the imagecomputing module 1202. Thus, the user may capture the images with thesmaller hand-held eye imaging apparatus 1201, while viewing the livevideo at a larger display monitor from the image computing module 1202,or one or more large display devices, such as monitors 1207 and 1208,associated with the image review module 1204. The larger displaymonitors 1207, 1208 associated with the image review module 1204 mayalso be viewed by a larger group of people at more convenient locations.The data transmission between the eye imaging apparatus 1201 and theimage computing module 1202 can be bidirectional. For example, the datatransmission can also allow the related patient information to be passedfrom the image computing module 1202 to the eye imaging apparatus 1201and synchronized. The recording of the images in the image computingmodule 1202 can comprise still images and/or video clips, depending onthe need of the user. The video and still images may share the sameformat/resolution or have different resolutions. The recorded images inthe image computing module 1202 may be stored in a database, which mayin some embodiments be temporary in nature.

The image storage module 1203 may comprise a relatively permanentstorage of the images and the related patient information. The imagestorage module 1203 may be disposed in a secure location for ensuringthe safety of the data. The data exchange/synchronization between theimage computing modules 1202 and the image storage module 1203 may becarried out by a wired or a wireless communication system. The storagedevices in the image storage module 1203 may have the extra-largecapacity and redundancy to protect the data. The image storage module1203 can have a database to store data from a single device or multipledevices of the image computing module 1202. The image review module 1204may comprise a display device attached to the image storage module 1203,or a detachable computing device in communication with the image storagemodule 1203, for example, by a wired or wireless communication system.In some embodiments, the image review module 1204 may comprise one ormore detachable or separate display devices with a wireless connectioncapability, for example, one or more tablet PCs. The users may use oneor more devices of the image review module 1204 to review the patientinformation and images at a distance from the image storage module 1203.

The eye imaging apparatus 1201 may store the images, e.g., still and/orvideo streams, while broadcasting the video/live images to multipledisplay devices 1207 and 1208 directly without the image computingmodule 1202. In some embodiments, the user may also operate the eyeimaging apparatus 1201 without the computing module 1202, and maydirectly transfer the images to the image storage module 1203 for safestorage. In some other embodiments, network storage 1209 (e.g., theInternet) may be used to store the image and other patient data. Theimages from the eye imaging apparatus 1201 and the image computingmodule 1202 may be directly transmitted out through the wired orwireless connection to the network instead of using the local storage.Such data transmission can also be bi-directional. The data from thenetwork storage 1209 may also be downloaded to and synchronized with theeye imaging apparatus 1201 or the image computing module 1202. Theimages and patient information stored in the image storage module 1203may be synchronized with the database in the network storage 1209 suchthat the images and patient information may be shared in an even largerpatient pool.

In various embodiments, the color images from the database in the eyeimaging apparatus 1201, the image computing module 1202 or the imagestorage module 1203 may be printed out from a color printer 1210, whilethe patient information may be optionally printed out from a reportprinter 1211. The transmission among the one or more printers 1210,1211, the eye imaging apparatus 1201, the image computing module 1202and the image storage module 1203 may be through the wired or wirelessconnection. The printer 1210 and 1211 may also comprise stand-aloneprinters. An additional color printer 1212 may be placed in the carryingcase 1205 for printing color photographs for convenience. Extra storagespace 1213 may also be provided in the carrying case 1205 for additionaloptics and other accessories such as the disposable package describedabove.

The eye imaging system may have various embodiments with differentconfigurations, setups and arrangements. FIG. 13 schematicallyillustrates some other embodiments of the networking eye imaging system1300. To enable the convenience of being used in clinical and surgicalrooms, the hand-held eye imaging apparatus 1301 can be placed on amobile cart 1315. The cart 1315 can be built with multiple shelves andwheels in order to store multiple devices and to allow easy maneuveringin tight spaces. The carrying case 1305 may be placed on one of theshelves with the eye imaging apparatus 1301 stored inside the carryingcase 1305. The user may take out the entire case 1305 from the cart 1315and use the case 1305 in other locations, or may use the case 1305 forstorage in the cart 1315. The image computing module 1302 and the extrabattery 1306 may also be placed in the carrying case 1305 and may beused in the same manner as described in the above paragraphs. When thecarrying case 1305 is placed on the shelf of the cart 1315, a power cordof the case may be connected directly into the electric power supplysystem of the cart; the battery of the case 1305 may be rechargedautomatically. In some embodiments, the display monitor 1316 maycomprise a display device of the image review module 1304. The displaymonitor 1316 may be used to display both live and still images, and alsomay display the patient-related information. In some other embodiments,the display monitor 1316 may also comprise a display monitor of theimage computing module 1302. An information input device 1317 may beplaced on the shelf of the cart 1315 to allow the users to input thepatient information into and navigate through the image computing module1302. The input device 1317 may, for example, be a mouse, keyboard or atouch screen monitor connected to the image computing module 1302. Theconnection or information exchange between the input device 1317 and thedisplay device 1316 may be by wired or wireless communication system.The image storage module 1303 may be used to store the patientinformation and images permanently. The printing device 1310 may be usedto print out color images, and/or a medical report at the site. Thedevice 1310 may comprise one printer or a plurality of printersdepending on the needs of the user. A power conditioning unit 1318 maybe used to supply electric power to the hand-held eye imaging apparatus130, the image computing module 1302, the image storage module 1303 andthe image review module 1304 on the cart 1315 as required by the medicalregulations, and to provide undisrupted power supply when the cart 1315is disconnected from the electric main power. In various embodiments,there may be no need to use all elements shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram of the networking eye imagingsystem 1400 comprising a hand-held eye imaging apparatus 1480 in variousembodiments. The eye imaging apparatus 1480 may comprise a hand-heldcomputing device 1401, for example, a modified smart phone, as well asan electronic system built around the hand-held computing device in someembodiments. The electronic system may be configured to further expandthe control capability and flexibility of the hand-held computing device1401. In various embodiments, the eye imaging apparatus 1480 maycomprise a front imaging module 1421 for imaging the posterior segmentof the eye. The front imaging module 1421 may comprise an imaging sensor1402 and a light source 1403. In some embodiments, the imaging sensor1402 and the light source 1403 may communicate with the hand-heldcomputing device 1401 through the standard data bus, which can includeMIPI serial or DVP parallel output interface for the image sensor 1402and a communication/driving port for the light source 1403. In variousembodiments, the eye imaging apparatus 1480 may further comprise anexterior imaging module 1422. In some embodiments, the exterior imagingmodule 1422 may optionally comprise two image sensors 1405, 1407 and twolighting units 1406, 1408. The two image sensors 1405, 1407 and twolighting units 1406, 1408 may, for example, interface with the hand-heldcomputing device 1401 through a multiplexing module 1404 in someembodiments. The multiplexing module 1404 may be built around thestandard data bus for digital image sensors/lighting devices, whichallows interaction between the hand-held computing device 1401 withindividual image sensor and light source. The multiplexing module 1404can act like a digital switcher, and can expand the number of the imagesensors and lighting sources to which the hand-held computing device1401 may have access. Additionally, the control of the multiplexingmodule 1404 may be realized through the standard input/output portsalready built into the standard data bus and/or by the hand-heldcomputing device 1401 directly. The standard data bus may also comprisethe serial or parallel port other than MIPI and DVP as long as itprovides the digital interface required for transmitting digital images.The data bus may also comprise the interface/channels for controlling afocus motor or other actuator used in the front imaging module 1421 andthe exterior imaging module 1422 in various embodiments. Although onlytwo imaging modules (which comprise the image sensor 1402, the imagesensor 1405, the image sensor 1407, the light source 1403, the lightingunit 1406 and/or the lighting unit 1406) are shown in FIG. 14,additional imaging modules, image sensors, and/or light sources arepossible and may be added to the configuration. The front imaging module1421 and/or the exterior imaging module 1422 may comprise any reasonablenumber of image sensors or light sources. The eye imaging apparatus 1480may comprise only the front imaging module 1421 or only the exteriorimaging module 1422 in some other embodiments.

In order to further expand the control capability and flexibility of theeye imaging apparatus 1480, the eye imaging apparatus 1480 may furthercomprise an adaptation module 1409. The adaptation module 1409 can beconnected to the hand-held computing device 1401 through the standardinterface ports of the hand-held computing device 1401, which often arebuilt around the standard USB port. The adaptation module 1409 maycomprise a microcontroller and a signal processing unit. In someembodiments, the adaptation module 1409 may be configured to adapt thehand-held computing device 1401 to control the image sensors 1402, 1405,1407 and the light sources 1403, 1406, 1408 through the standardinterface ports of the hand-held computing device 1401, while thestandard interface ports of the hand-held computing device 1401 may notcontrol the image sensors and the light sources without the adaptationmodule 1409. Therefore, the imaging sensor 1402 and the light source1403 may interface with the hand-held computing device 1401 through theadaptation module 1409 in some embodiments.

The eye imaging apparatus 1400 may further comprise a driver module1410. When the light sources in the eye imaging apparatus 1400 are morepowerful than a conventional light source in a hand-held mobilecomputing device 1401 (for example, an original light source in a smartphone), the driver module 1410 may be used to power and drive morepowerful light sources. In some embodiments, the driver module 1410 maybe connected to the light source 1403, the lighting unit 1406, and thelighting unit 1408. The driver module 1410 may be powered by the batteryin the hand-held computing device 1401 or by a separate battery 1411with larger capacity and larger driver current. The hand-held mobilecomputing device 1401 may control the light source 1403, the lightingunits 1406, 1408, and the driver module 1410 through the input/outputports of the adaptation module 1409. The multiplexing module 1404 mayalso be controlled through either the driver module 1410, or directlyfrom the input/output ports of the adaptation module 1409. Because thelatency in the USB type of interface may be rather large, the lightsource 1403, the lighting unit 1406, and/or the lighting unit 1408 maybe controlled through the interaction between the driver module 1410 andthe standard data bus directly from the hand-held computing device 1401.For example, setting the status and power may be provided by the drivermodule 1410, while the real time trigger may be synchronized by theexisting digital input/output ports for the lighting device in thestandard data bus of the hand-held computing device 1401.

As shown in FIG. 14, the live images captured by the imaging sensors1402, 1405, 1407 may be transmitted to the hand-held computing device1401, e.g., in the RAW data format. The live images may be processed andcalibrated to form the standard video stream, which may be displayed onthe small touch screen display of the hand-held computing device 1401.The same video stream may be transmitted out of the hand-held computingdevice 1401 in real time, with or without going through a videocompression process, and may be received by the image computing module1412. The real time video stream may be displayed on touch screendisplay of the imaging apparatus 1400 and/or on an external displaydevice in an image review module 1413. The real time images may beviewed on either display devices, thus allowing the users to performpre-view functions when the video latency is minimized. Depending on thetype of the shutters used by the imaging sensors 1402, 1405 and 1407,the light from the light source 1403, the lighting unit 1406 and thelighting unit 1408 may be continuous or may be pulsed in order to besynchronized with the opening of the shutters. The video stream may alsobe recorded by either the hand-held computing device 1401 or the imagecomputing module 1412. The video stream may also be transmitted directlyto the external display device in the image review module 1413 withoutbeing relayed by the image computing module 1412. A backup version ofvideo stream may also be sent to the image storage module 1414. The datatransmission or exchange among the imaging apparatus 1400, the imagecomputing module 1412, the image review module 1413 and the imagestorage module 1414, or any combination thereof, may be carried outthrough the wired or wireless communication system.

When the users trigger the shutters to take still images, the imagingsensors 1402, 1405, 1407 may be reset with different sensitivity andresolutions. The light output from the light source 1403, the lightingunit 1406, and the lighting unit 1408 may also be reset to correspond tothe new status of the imaging sensors 1402, 1405, 1407 and to besynchronized with the shutters. The data of the images, which may be ina RAW format, may be sent to the hand-held computing device 1401 fromthe imaging sensors 1402, 1405, 1407 and pre-processed by the imageprocessing pipeline in order to produce high quality still images. Animage processing unit, which may be specific to the type of objects thatthe images capture, may process the images in the hand-held computingdevice 1401 or in the image computing module 1412. The final compositeimages can be displayed on the display screen of the image computingmodule 1412 or on the external display device of the image review module1413 for the user to review. The relatively permanent storage of theimages can be kept in the image storage module 1414.

The image storage module 1014 may comprise a computer database which isconfigured to store a copy of the complete information, comprising thelocation and identification of the eye imaging apparatus 1480, thepatient's personal and medical information and/or time stamps/exposureparameters. The initial data entry and the updating of the patientinformation may be carried out at the hand-held computing device 1401 orthe image computing module 1412. As shown in FIG. 10, the informationcan then be automatically updated and synchronized among any of thehand-held computing device 1401, the image computing module 1412, theimage review module 1413 and the image storage module 1414, orcombinations thereof.

Various embodiments of the networking eye imaging system disclose amethod of method of imaging an eye by using a networking eye imagingsystem. The method can comprise imaging an eye by using a hand-held eyeimaging apparatus, transferring the image to an image computing module,storing the image in an image storage module with a database, anddisplaying the image on an image review module including a large displaymonitor or at least a monitor larger than from on the hand-held devicein some embodiments. Imaging an eye by using a hand-held eye imagingapparatus can comprise illuminating the eye by using a light sourceinside a housing, receiving an image of the eye by using an imagesensor, controlling the light source and the image sensor by using ahand-held computing device inside the housing, receiving andtransmitting the image by using the hand-held computing device. In someembodiments, the method of imaging an eye by using a networking eyeimaging system may comprise imaging both the posterior segment and theanterior segment of an eye by using a hand-held eye imaging apparatus.The method can comprise illuminating the posterior segment by using afirst light source inside a housing, and receiving a first image of theposterior segment by using a first image sensor. The method can furthercomprise illuminating the anterior segment by using a second lightsource, and receiving a second image of the anterior segment by using asecond image sensor. The method can comprise controlling the first andthe second light source and the first and the second image sensor byusing a hand-held computing device, and receiving and transmitting thefirst and the second image by using the hand-held computing device. Themethod can further comprise transferring the first and the second imageto an image computing module, storing the first and the second image inan image storage module with a database, and displaying the first andthe second image on an image review module including a large displaymonitor, such as a display larger than that on the hand-held imagingdevice in some embodiments.

While the present invention has been disclosed in exemplary embodiments,those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize and appreciate thatmany additions, deletions and modifications to the disclosed embodimentand its variations may be implemented without departing from the scopeof the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An eye imaging medical system comprising: ahand-held carrying case; a hand-held eye imaging apparatus configured tofit inside the hand-held carrying case, the eye imaging apparatuscomprising: a housing; a light source disposed in the housing configuredto illuminate an eye; an optical imaging system disposed in the housingcomprising: an optical window at a front end of the housing with aconcave front surface configured to receive a portion of the eye, and animaging lens disposed behind the optical window and optically alignedwith the optical window; an image sensor disposed in the housing toreceive an image of the eye from the optical imaging system; a firstdisplay disposed in the housing configured to display the image; amemory unit disposed in the housing configured to store the image; and acomputing and communication unit disposed in the housing comprising amodified mobile computing device, wherein the computing andcommunication unit is configured to receive, display and transmit theimage wirelessly; an image computing apparatus configured to fit insidethe carrying case, the image computing apparatus being configured toreceive the image from and exchange data with the hand-held eye imagingapparatus, and to process the image to provide an improved qualityimage, the image computing apparatus being configured to communicatewith an image storage apparatus disposed in a secured location andhaving a database configured to receive and store the improved qualityimage, the image computing apparatus being configured to communicatewith an image review apparatus disposed at a different location than theimage computing apparatus and configured to receive and display theimproved quality image; a second display configured to fit inside thecarrying case and configured to be movable between a stowed position anda display position, the second display configured to communicate withthe image computing apparatus to display the improved quality image, thesecond display is larger than the first display; and a printer unitconfigured to fit inside the carrying case and configured to communicatewith the image computing apparatus to print the improved quality image,wherein the hand-held carrying case is less than 600 mm×400 mm×300 mmand weighs less than 15 kg.
 2. The eye imaging medical system in claim1, wherein the system is configured to allow the image to be transferredamong the hand-held eye imaging apparatus, the image computingapparatus, the image storage apparatus, and the image review apparatusin real time and synchronized automatically.
 3. The eye imaging medicalsystem in claim 1, wherein the hand-held eye imaging apparatus isconfigured to store the image and transmit the image to the image reviewapparatus directly.
 4. The eye imaging medical system in claim 1,wherein the carrying case comprises a plurality of regions configured tohold the hand-held eye imaging apparatus, the image computing apparatus,a power supply, an extra battery, the printer unit and a disposablepackage.
 5. The eye imaging medical system in claim 1, wherein the imageincludes a still image and a live video image.
 6. The eye imagingmedical system in claim 1, wherein the hand-held eye imaging apparatusand the image computing apparatus are configured to be automaticallyrecharged when being disposed inside the carrying case.